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Noise Ordinances in Cupertino, CA (2026)

10 verified noise ordinances for Cupertino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Cupertino's Community Noise Control ordinance (CMC Chapter 10.48) defines nighttime and sets lower dBA limits during those hours. Nighttime on weekdays runs 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and on weekends 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Cupertino Quiet Hours & Nighttime Noise Limits

Some Restrictions

Construction Hours

CMC Section 10.48.053 permits grading, construction, and demolition only during daytime hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays, with mufflers required and hard caps on equipment noise.

Cupertino Construction Hours & Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Barking Dogs

CMC Section 10.48.061 makes it unlawful and a nuisance to keep any animal, including fowl, that by its sound or cry habitually disturbs the peace and comfort of any person in the reasonable enjoyment of life or property.

Cupertino Barking Dog & Animal Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Leaf Blower Rules

Cupertino requires "certified" leaf blowers rated 65 dBA or less at 50 feet on all properties citywide (Ordinance 21-2213, effective Nov. 6, 2022). Gas blowers are allowed only if they meet 65 dBA and carry the ANSI B175.2 sticker; louder units are banned.

Cupertino Leaf Blower Ordinance (65 dBA Rule)

Heavy Restrictions

Amplified Music & Events

Amplified sound is governed by the general property-line limits of CMC 10.48.040 (50 dBA night / 60 dBA day for residential) and the noise-disturbance ban in 10.48.060. Amplified public events need a city permit under CMC 10.48.052.

Cupertino Amplified Sound & Public Address Rules

Some Restrictions

Aircraft Noise

Cupertino has no municipal ordinance regulating aircraft noise; aviation noise is preempted by the FAA under federal law. The nearest major airport is San Jose International (SJC), roughly 8 miles away, whose noise program is run by the airport and FAA.

Cupertino Aircraft Noise (No Local Ordinance)

Few Restrictions

Industrial Noise

Cupertino has no separate industrial-noise chapter; nonresidential (commercial, office, industrial) sources are held to CMC 10.48.040 limits of 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at the receiving property, plus the general noise-disturbance ban.

Cupertino Industrial & Commercial Noise Limits

Some Restrictions

Decibel Limits

CMC Section 10.48.040 sets property-line noise limits by land use: residential origins are capped at 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime, and nonresidential origins at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime, measured at the receiving property.

Cupertino Decibel Limits (CMC 10.48.040)

Some Restrictions

Outdoor Music

CMC Section 10.48.052 governs outdoor public events with music or amplification on nonresidential property: they require a city permit and are capped at 70 dBA daytime (max 3 hours), 60 dBA from 8-11 p.m., and 55 dBA other nighttime hours.

Cupertino Outdoor Events & Music Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Vehicle Noise

CMC Sections 10.48.055-10.48.057 limit vehicle noise: engines may idle no more than three minutes per hour off the public right-of-way, and it is a violation to operate registered vehicles or off-road vehicles with faulty or modified exhaust producing excessive noise.

Cupertino Vehicle Noise & Idling Rules

Some Restrictions

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cupertino city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Santa Clara County