Noise Ordinances in La Mesa, CA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for La Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Section 10.80.080 of the La Mesa Municipal Code bars operating a radio, television, phonograph or musical instrument in a residential zone between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner that disturbs neighbors' peace and quiet. Exceeding the ambient base noise level within 50 feet of a home, or inside a multi-family unit or occupied nonresidential building, is prima facie evidence of a violation.
La Mesa Nighttime Quiet Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 10.80.080
(a)Use restricted. It shall be unlawful for any person within any residential zone of the City to use or operate any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television set, or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound (between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day) in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort o...
Construction Hours
Section 10.80.100 of the La Mesa Municipal Code bars outside construction, repair work or heavy equipment such as pile drivers and pneumatic hammers within a residential or CN zone, or within 500 feet of one, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or on Sundays, absent a special permit from the chief building official. Emergency work and work by a single-family occupant on their own home are exempt.
La Mesa Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 10.80.100
It shall be unlawful for any person within a residential zone or CN zone, or within a radius of five hundred feet therefrom, to operate equipment or perform any outside construction or repair work on buildings, structures, or projects or to operate any pile driver, power shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, power hoist, or any other construction-type device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one ...
Barking Dogs
Section 8.04.060 makes it a nuisance violation to own, possess, or harbor an animal whose frequent or long-continued noise causes annoyance or discomfort to a person of normal sensitivity nearby. Written statements from two neighbors at separate residences describing the noise count as prima facie evidence of a violation, though hospitals, shelters, and farms keeping animals lawfully are exempt.
La Mesa Barking Dog and Animal Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 8.04.060
8.04.060 - Animal noises prohibited. The following acts are declared to be disturbing, excessive and offensive noises that constitute a nuisance and violate this chapter: owning, possessing or harboring an animal which by any frequent or long continued noise causes annoyance or discomfort to a person of normal sensitivity in the vicinity. The written affirmation by two persons having separate r...
Leaf Blower Rules
Section 10.80.101 of the La Mesa Municipal Code bars operating leaf blowers and other landscaping power equipment between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, or between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during daylight saving time. The equipment must also stay within the Section 10.80.040 zone noise limits, though emergency work needs no permit.
La Mesa Leaf Blower Hours Restriction
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 10.80.101
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate landscaping power equipment between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during Pacific Standard Time and between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during Pacific Daylight Savings Time. All landscaping power equipment shall conform to the city's noise limitations established in Section 10.80.040. No permit shall be required to perform emergency work as defin...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In the City of La Mesa, anyone who wants to run a loudspeaker or sound truck outdoors must register with the Police Department at least ten days ahead, under La Mesa Municipal Code Chapter 10.80. Outdoor amplified sound is capped at fifteen decibels above ambient noise, restricted to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and barred within two hundred feet of schools, churches, hospitals, or government buildings unless the City Council authorizes a special event permit.
La Mesa Sound Amplifying Equipment Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code §§ 10.80.130, 10.80.170
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than personnel of law enforcement or governmental agencies, to 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 ... without first filing a registration statement and obtaining approval thereof as set forth in this section. ... (b)Outdoor operation of soun...
Decibel Limits
La Mesa Municipal Code Section 10.80.040 sets maximum ambient sound levels by zone and time of day: 50 decibels overnight in R1 and R2 residential zones, rising to 70 decibels at any hour in manufacturing (M) zones. Whichever is lower, the true ambient level or the zone table, governs, measured at the property line closest to the noise source.
La Mesa Ambient Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 10.80.040
Where the ambient noise level is less than designated in this section, the respective noise level in this section shall govern. The noise level to be observed in all measurements shall be that specified for the zone applicable to the property adjoining that on which the noise is generated and closest to the noise source. Sound Level A, Decibels Zone Time Level R1 & R2 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. ...
Vehicle Noise
La Mesa's noise code has no stereo- or muffler-specific section, but La Mesa Municipal Code Section 10.80.110 bars repairing, rebuilding, or testing any motor vehicle in a residential area between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The chapter's catch-all Section 10.80.180 also bans any loud or unusual noise, including from vehicles, that disturbs a neighborhood or annoys a reasonable resident.
La Mesa Vehicle Repair Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code §§ 10.80.020, 10.80.110, 10.80.180
(l)Motor Vehicles. ... "Motor vehicles" shall include, but not be limited to, mini-bikes and go-carts. ... It shall be unlawful for any person within any residential ... area of the city to repair, rebuild, or test any motor vehicle between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next day. ... Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and in addition thereto, it shall...
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