Noise Ordinances in Pasadena, CA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Pasadena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Pasadena bars operating a radio, TV, phonograph or musical instrument in any residential zone between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if it disturbs neighbors' peace, under Municipal Code Section 9.36.110. Any noise exceeding the ambient level at a property line by more than 5 decibels during those hours is treated as prima facie proof of a violation.
Pasadena Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.36.110 (Radio, television sets and similar devices)
A.Use Restricted. It is 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 p.m. of one day and 7 a.m. of the following day) in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring r...
Construction Hours
Pasadena bars powered construction equipment near residential districts outside 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays under Municipal Code Section 9.36.070, with work barred entirely on Sundays and holidays. A separate 85 dBA cap applies to construction equipment noise measured 100 feet away.
Pasadena Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.36.070 (Construction projects)
No person shall operate any pile driver, power shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick power hoist, forklift, cement mixer or any other similar construction equipment within a residential district or within a radius of 500 feet therefrom at any time other than as listed below:1.From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday;2.From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday;3.Operation of any of the listed...
Barking Dogs
Pasadena prohibits keeping any animal or fowl that, by sound, cry or behavior, causes annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person in a residential neighborhood, under Municipal Code Section 9.36.150. The rule applies to any animal otherwise lawfully kept, and a violation is enforced as a misdemeanor under Chapter 9.36's general penalty section.
Pasadena Barking Dog Noise Law
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.36.150 (Animals and fowl)
No person shall keep or maintain, or permit the keeping of, upon any premises owned, occupied or controlled by such person any animal or fowl otherwise permitted to be kept which, by any sound, cry, or behavior, causes annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in any residential neighborhood.
Leaf Blower Rules
Pasadena bans gas-powered leaf blowers. Electric blowers limited to 65 dBA at 50 ft. Operating hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM, Sat 9 AM-5 PM, no Sundays. Max 15 min/hour on parcels under 1/2 acre, 30 min/hour over 1/2 acre. Fines $116-$1,000.
Pasadena Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
Some RestrictionsCalifornia AB 1346 (2021) — Health and Safety Code Section 43018.11 (Small Off-Road Engine / Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Phase-Out)
43018.11. (a) (1) By July 1, 2022, the state board shall, consistent with federal law, adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. Those regulations shall apply to engines produced on or after January 1, 2024, or as soon as the state board determines is feasible...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Pasadena requires anyone using a loudspeaker or sound amplifying equipment on a street, sidewalk, park or public property to file a registration statement with the director of finance under Municipal Code Section 9.36.160, pay a $25 daily fee for commercial use, and stay within set hours and a 15-decibel-above-ambient cap.
Pasadena Amplified Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.36.160 (Amplified sound on public property)
B.Required Registration. It is 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 for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, lectures or transmitting music to any persons or assem...
Decibel Limits
Pasadena caps interior noise in multifamily units at 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under Municipal Code Section 9.36.060. Citywide, Section 9.36.050 separately bars any noise that exceeds the ambient level at a property line by more than 5 decibels, with violations enforced as misdemeanors.
Pasadena Noise Decibel Limits by Time
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.36.060 (Interior noise standard - Multifamily residential property)
It is unlawful for any person to produce, suffer or allow to be produced on any multifamily residential property, sounds at a level in excess of those enumerated in Table No. 1 when measured inside any dwelling unit on the same property or twenty (20) feet from the outside of the dwelling unit in which the noise source or sources may be located. TABLE NO. 1—Interior Noise Standard Time Interval...
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