Noise Ordinances in Bishop, CA (2026)
10 verified noise ordinances for Bishop, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Bishop bans any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that injures the health, peace or safety of others. Construction is expressly allowed only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., so nighttime is the city's protected quiet window.
Bishop Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.010
It is unlawful for any person to make or continue... within the limits of the city any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise, which injures or endangers the health, peace or safety of others; provided, however, that this chapter will not... prohibit any of the activities incidental to construction or repairing being conducted after the hour of 7:00 a.m. or before the hour of 10:00 p.m.
Construction Hours
Bishop's noise ordinance carves out construction and repair activity, allowing it only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Building or repairing before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. is not shielded and can be cited as unlawful noise.
Construction Noise Allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.010
...this chapter will not in any way affect, restrict or prohibit any of the activities incidental to construction or repairing being conducted after the hour of 7:00 a.m. or before the hour of 10:00 p.m.
Barking Dogs
Bishop treats keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or long, continuous noise disturbing neighbors as an unlawful noise. Persistent barking is a code violation abatable through the city, in addition to Bishop's animal-control rules.
Barking Dogs and Noisy Animals Prohibited in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(E)
Animals and birds. The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent or long continuous noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.
Leaf Blower Rules
Bishop does not ban leaf blowers, but its noise ordinance prohibits operating any noise-creating blower or power fan unless the noise is muffled. Loud, unmuffled blower use can be cited as an unlawful noise.
Leaf Blowers and Power Fans Must Be Muffled in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(M)
Blowers. The operation of any noise-creating blower or power fan or any internal combustion engine... unless the noise from such blower or fan is muffled and such engine is equipped with a muffler device sufficient to deaden such noise.
Amplified Music & Events
Bishop prohibits playing radios, instruments or sound devices so as to disturb neighbors' peace and quiet. Sound plainly audible 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. is prima facie evidence of a violation.
Amplified Music and Radios Regulated in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(B)
The operation of any such set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance 50 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
Aircraft Noise
Bishop's city noise code does not regulate aircraft. Aircraft-in-flight noise is governed by the FAA under federal law, and Bishop Airport is operated by Inyo County, so complaints go to the airport and FAA rather than the city.
Aircraft Noise Near Bishop: Federal and County Jurisdiction
Some RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Bishop's noise code targets several commercial and industrial sources: parking-lot sweepers before 7 a.m., early garbage collection before 6:30 a.m., unmuffled blowers and engines, and idling diesel trucks or buses that disturb residents.
Commercial and Industrial Noise Rules in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(H)
Garbage trucks. The collection of garbage in close proximity to dwellings or motels before the hour of 6:30 a.m. in such a manner as to cause loud and raucous noises and disturb the repose of persons in dwellings or motels.
Decibel Limits
Bishop's noise code sets no numeric decibel limits. Instead it uses a plainly-audible-at-50-feet standard for nighttime amplified sound and a general prohibition on loud, unnecessary or unusual noise disturbing neighbors.
Bishop Uses a 50-Foot Audibility Test, Not Decibels
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(B)
The operation of any such set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance 50 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
Outdoor Music
Bishop bars casting amplified sound onto the street for commercial advertising and prohibits any outdoor music or sound device that disturbs neighbors. Nighttime outdoor sound plainly audible 50 feet away is presumptively unlawful.
Outdoor and Amplified Advertising Sound in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(C)
Loudspeakers, amplifiers for advertising. The playing, using or operating... of any radio, receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device for the production or reproduction of sound, which is cast upon the street for the purpose of commercial advertising, or attracting the attention of the public to any building or structure.
Vehicle Noise
Bishop prohibits excessive or unusual motor-vehicle noise, needless horn use and running engines without an effective muffler. Screeching tires, revving, backfiring and loud exhaust are all cited examples of unlawful vehicle noise.
Vehicle Noise, Horns and Exhaust Rules in Bishop
Some RestrictionsBishop Municipal Code § 8.12.020(N)
Motor vehicle noises. Any excessive, unusual, loud or disturbing noise made by any motor vehicle and not reasonably necessary in its operation under the circumstances and shall include, but not be limited to, noise caused by screeching of tires, racing or accelerating the engine, backfiring the engine and exhaust from the engine tailpipe or muffler.
Looking for Inyo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bishop city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Inyo County →