Noise Ordinances in Downey, CA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Downey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Downey bars operating any radio, phonograph, musical instrument, or similar sound device between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a way that is plainly audible 50 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle where it sits, and separately bans running such devices louder than needed for voluntary listeners at any hour, under Municipal Code § 4602.
Downey Nighttime Quiet Hours Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 4602 (Radios, Phonographs, and the Like)
No person shall use or operate, or permit to be played, used, or operated, when under his control or direction, any radio, receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for convenient...
Construction Hours
Downey exempts permitted construction, repair, and remodeling noise from its general noise chapter, but only if a valid City permit for the work is on hand; even then, work is barred between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except emergencies, and construction noise can never exceed 85 db(A) at any property boundary, per Municipal Code § 4606.5.
Downey Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 4606.5 (Construction Projects)
Construction, repair or remodeling equipment and devices and other related construction noise sources shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter provided a valid permit for such construction, repair, or remodeling shall have been obtained from the City. In any circumstance other than emergency work, no repair or remodeling shall take place between the hours of 9:00 p.m. of one day an...
Barking Dogs
Downey Municipal Code Section 4263 declares it a public nuisance to keep any animal, including fowl, whose sound or cry interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by any individual. The standard covers barking dogs, crowing roosters, and any other noisy animal, and is enforced by Animal Care and Control separately from the city's mechanical noise ordinance.
Downey Noisy Animal and Barking Dog Rule
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 4263
It is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep, maintain or permit upon any lot or parcel of land within the City under his or her control, any animal or animals including any fowl or fowls, which by any sound, or cry, shall interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an individual.
Leaf Blower Rules
Downey regulates leaf blower noise under its general noise ordinance. Gas-powered leaf blowers must comply with the 85 dBA construction equipment limit and operate only during permitted hours.
Downey Leaf Blower & Equipment Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. AB 1346 (2021) - Small Off-Road Engines (Gas Leaf Blower Phase-Out)
Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Existing law assigns the responsibility for controlling vehicular sources of air pollution to the State Air Resources Board. This bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2022, consistent with federal law, to adopt cost-effective and techn...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Downey requires a City permit before anyone installs or runs an outdoor paging system or other amplified sound equipment tied to a business, capping output at 5 db(A) above ambient noise at the property line, 15 watts in the final amplification stage, and a 9:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. curfew whenever the sound reaches residential property, per Municipal Code § 4604.
Downey Outdoor Sound Amplifier Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 4604 (Outdoor Paging Systems)
No person shall install, maintain, or operate any outdoor paging system without a permit therefor first having been issued by the City in accordance with rules and procedures as promulgated by the City Manager. No permit shall be issued for an outdoor paging system which is capable of producing a sound level of five decibels "A" scale db(A) above the ambient sound level at the property line of ...
Vehicle Noise
Downey bans repairing, rebuilding, or test-running any motor vehicle's engine within 100 feet of residentially zoned property when the noise disturbs neighbors' peace, comfort, or welfare, under Municipal Code § 4600.3; a related section deems any noise over 100 decibels measured 25 feet from its source a prima facie violation of the City's general noise law.
Downey Motor Vehicle Repair Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 4600.3 (Noises: Motor Vehicles)
It shall be unlawful for any person within any residential area of the City of within 100 feet of any residentially zoned property, to repair, rebuild, or test any motor vehicle or operate or run the engine thereof in any manner to produce sounds which would disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort, or welfare of the neighboring inhabitants. For purposes of this section, the term "motor veh...
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