Noise Ordinances in Sacramento, CA (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Sacramento, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Yelling, shouting or singing on Sacramento's streets between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is specifically declared unlawful noise if it disturbs nearby residents, and running a power saw, planer or other powered tool in that same overnight window is banned outright if it disturbs a neighbor's peace. Both sit in the city's list of noises unlawful without any decibel test.
Sacramento Nighttime Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.200(C), (E)
C. Yelling and Shouting. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing or blowing of horns on the public streets, particularly between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any office, or in any dwelling, hotel, motel, apartment or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity. ... E. Tool...
Construction Hours
Sacramento exempts ordinary construction noise from its general noise ordinance only between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Outside those hours, or if machinery lacks a working muffler, the exemption disappears and the noise is treated as an ordinary violation.
Sacramento Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.080(D)
D. Noise sources due to the erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building or structure between the hours of seven a.m. and six p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and between nine a.m. and six p.m. on Sunday; provided, however, that the operation of an internal combustion engine shall not be exempt pursuant to this subsection i...
Barking Dogs
Sacramento outlaws "the keeping of any animal, fowl, or bird which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of persons in the vicinity." A barking dog that meets that standard is a specific unlawful noise under City Code § 8.68.200(L), enforced with a required oral warning before any citation.
Sacramento Barking Dog and Animal Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.200(L)
L. Animals, Birds, Fowls. The keeping of any animal, fowl, or bird which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of persons in the vicinity.
Leaf Blower Rules
Sacramento restricts gas-powered leaf blowers by time of day and sound level under SMC Chapter 8.68; CA AB 1346 phases out gas-powered SORE equipment statewide.
Leaf Blower Rules in Sacramento
Some RestrictionsCal. AB 1346 (2021-2022); Cal. Health & Safety Code § 43018.11
SEC. 2. Section 43018.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 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 a...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Concerts, athletic events and other outdoor activities using amplified sound in Sacramento are capped at 96 dBA Leq in September and October and 98 dBA Leq the rest of the year, measured within 150 feet of the source. Amplified sound must also stop by 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and specified holiday eves.
Sacramento Outdoor Amplified Sound Limits
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.160
A. It is unlawful for any person to conduct, or permit to be conducted on its property, any outdoor recreational activity, including, but not limited to, athletic events, sporting events, entertainment events and concerts at which amplified noise, amplified music, or amplified sound exceeding the following levels is created: 96 dba leq during the months of September and October; 98 dba leq duri...
Aircraft Noise
Sacramento City Code caps aircraft noise at Sacramento Executive Airport at 84.0 EPNdB measured at take-off. Any pilot who takes off or lands a louder aircraft commits a misdemeanor under City Code § 12.88.520. The airport director determines noise levels from FAA advisory circulars or actual measurement, and violators receive written notice before Penal Code § 836.5 citations issue for repeat offenses.
Aircraft Noise Rules at Sacramento Executive Airport
Heavy RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 12.88.520
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for a person to take off or land an aircraft at the airport if the noise level for the model of aircraft exceeds 84.0 EPNdB as said noise level is set forth in the advisory circular in the columns entitled "Meas EPNdB" or "M/Est EPNdB" as measured at take-off.
Decibel Limits
Sacramento gives pre-existing industrial and commercial facilities a one-year grace period to meet the city's noise chapter, but only if they show reasonable efforts to cut excess noise during that year. Once the year ends, the facility is fully bound by the exterior and interior noise limits in Sacramento City Code Chapter 8.68, with no further exemption.
Sacramento Industrial Noise Compliance Period
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.090
A. Any industrial or commercial facility in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be allowed a one year period commencing on said date within which to comply with this chapter. B. During said one year period all such facilities shall make reasonable efforts to be in compliance and to reduce noise which exceeds the standards specified in this chapter. Commencing at the end ...
Vehicle Noise
Sacramento bans motor noise "not reasonably required in the operation" of a vehicle, including backfiring and motor racing, and requires every combustion engine's exhaust to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise. Both are "specific unlawful noises" under City Code § 8.68.200, enforced with a mandatory oral warning before any misdemeanor citation.
Sacramento Vehicle Motor and Exhaust Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 8.68.200(A), (G)
A. Motor Noises. Any noise made by the motor of any automobile, truck, tractor, motorcycle, not reasonably required in the operation thereof under the circumstances and shall include but not be limited to backfiring and motor racing. ... G. Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, or motor vehicle except...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sacramento city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Sacramento County →