Noise Ordinances in Fresno, CA (2026)
9 verified noise ordinances for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Fresno's Noise Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 1) sets zone- and time-based exterior sound limits. In residential districts the limit is 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM, 55 dBA from 7 PM to 10 PM, and 60 dBA from 7 AM to 7 PM; any noise exceeding the ambient level at a neighbor's property line by more than 5 decibels is prima facie unlawful.
Residential Nighttime Noise Limit: 50 dBA (10 PM-7 AM)
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Article 1, Sections 10-102(b), 10-105, 10-106 (Noise Ordinance of the City of Fresno; Rep. and Added Ord. 72-163, 1972)
SEC. 10-105. - EXCESSIVE NOISE PROHIBITED. No person shall make, cause, or suffer or permit to be made or caused upon any premises or upon any public street, alley, or place within the city, any sound or noise which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing or working in the area, unless such noise or sound is specifically authorized by or in accor...
Construction Hours
Fresno Municipal Code section 10-109(a) exempts permitted construction, remodeling, site preparation, and grading from the Noise Ordinance only when the work takes place between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday. Construction equipment such as pile drivers, hammers, saws, and drills is otherwise listed among the regulated noise sources in section 10-105(d).
Permitted Construction Allowed 7 AM-10 PM, Not on Sundays
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Article 1, Section 10-109 (Exceptions) and Section 10-105(d) (Construction equipment)
SEC. 10-109. - EXCEPTIONS. The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (a) Construction, repair or remodeling work accomplished pursuant to a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or other construction permit issued by the city or other governmental agency, or to site preparation and grading, provided such work takes place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any day ex...
Barking Dogs
Fresno Municipal Code section 9-2701(a) makes it unlawful to keep any dog which by habitual and continual barking, howling, or whining disturbs the peace and comfort of any neighborhood. Violation is an infraction, and the Noise Ordinance separately lists animal noise (section 10-105(b)) among regulated sources.
Habitual Barking or Howling Prohibited (FMC 9-2701)
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code, Section 9-2701 (Keeping of Dogs), as quoted in City Attorney Code Enforcement memo, Dec. 7, 2022
SEC. 9-2701. - KEEPING OF DOGS. (a) No person shall keep or maintain, or cause or permit to be kept or maintained, upon any premises, any dog which by habitual and continual barking, howling or whining shall disturb the peace and comfort of any neighborhood or interfere with the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property by any person. (b) No person shall keep or maintain, or caus...
Leaf Blower Rules
Fresno does not impose a citywide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, but operation is restricted under the general noise nuisance provisions of FMC Chapter 10. Landscape maintenance is practically limited to daytime hours to stay under the 60 dBA residential daytime cap, and statewide CARB rules phase out new sales of gas-powered small off-road engines.
Leaf Blower Rules in Fresno
Few RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 41015 (AB 1346, 2021)
small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. The bill would require the state board to identify and, to the extent feasible, make available funding for commercial rebates or similar incentive funding as part of any updates to existing applicable funding program guidelines to local air pollution control districts and air quality management districts to implement to support the transiti...
Amplified Music & Events
Fresno Municipal Code section 10-105(a) treats radios, instruments, phonographs, and amplification devices as regulated noise sources, and section 10-108 requires anyone using a loudspeaker or sound amplifying equipment in a public place to file a registration statement and obtain approval. Amplified sound may operate only 7 AM-10 PM, must not exceed 15 dB above ambient at any property line, and is barred within 200 feet of churches, schools, or hospitals.
Amplified Sound: Registration Plus 7 AM-10 PM Limit
Heavy RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Article 1, Sections 10-105(a) and 10-108 (Public Address Systems)
SEC. 10-108. - PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS. No person, other than personnel of law enforcement or governmental agencies, shall install, use or operate within the city a loudspeaker or sound amplifying equipment in a fixed or movable position or mounted upon any sound truck for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, lectures or transmitting music to any person or assemblag...
Aircraft Noise
Fresno cannot regulate in-flight aircraft noise (federally preempted), so the controlling standards are California's. Public Utilities Code section 21669 directs the state to adopt aircraft noise standards, and Title 21 CCR section 5012 sets the acceptable level at a 65-decibel community noise equivalent level (CNEL). At Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), large-aircraft touch-and-go activity is prohibited from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Aircraft Noise: State 65 dB CNEL Standard, FAT Curfew
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Utilities Code Section 21669 (State Aeronautics Act) and California Code of Regulations, Title 21, Section 5012 (Airport Noise Standard)
21669. The department shall adopt noise standards governing the operation of aircraft and aircraft engines for airports operating under a valid permit issued by the department to an extent not prohibited by federal law. The standards shall be based upon the level of noise acceptable to a reasonable person residing in the vicinity of the airport. [21 CCR sec. 5012:] The standard for the acceptab...
Industrial Noise
Industrial noise in Fresno is capped by FMC §10-105 receiving-zone dBA limits: industrial zones allow up to 75 dBA at the property line, while any industrial operation that sends sound into adjacent residential zones must stay under the residential caps of 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night. Agricultural processing plants near Jensen, Central, and American Avenues are common complaint sources.
Industrial Noise Rules in Fresno
Some RestrictionsDecibel Limits
Fresno uses a receiving-zone dBA schedule in FMC §10-105. Residential properties are capped at 60 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM. Commercial zones are capped at 65 dBA / 60 dBA, and industrial at 75 dBA around the clock. Exceedance for more than 30 minutes in any hour is a violation.
Decibel Limits in Fresno
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Music
Outdoor music events in Fresno require either compliance with the FMC §10-105 residential dBA caps (60 day / 50 night) or a noise variance permit under FMC §10-110. Large outdoor events on public property also need a Special Event Permit through the City Manager office, and alcohol service triggers ABC license conditions.
Outdoor Music Rules in Fresno
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Fresno County →