Noise Ordinances in San Clemente, CA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for San Clemente, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
San Clemente bans yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on public streets, especially between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., if it annoys or disturbs anyone's quiet, comfort or repose, under Section 8.48.070(D), backed by lower nighttime decibel caps in the same chapter.
San Clemente Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 8.48.070(D)
D.Yelling, shouting, etc. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 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 or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.
Construction Hours
Construction noise in San Clemente is allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, with none permitted on Sunday or a City-recognized holiday, under Municipal Code Section 8.48.090(E). Grading work must also follow the separate hours set in Section 15.36.190.
San Clemente Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 8.48.090(E)
E.Noise sources associated with construction activity, provided said activities take place only between the hours of 7:00 am. and 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and at no time on a Sunday or a City-recognized holiday, and provided all grading activities also comply with Section 15.36.190 of the City's Municipal Code regarding time of...
Barking Dogs
San Clemente bans keeping any animal whose noise unreasonably disturbs neighbors. A dog barking continuously for 30 minutes, or intermittently for 60 minutes, meets the code's own definition of a nuisance and can draw an infraction citation from Animal Services.
San Clemente Barking Dog Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.24.040
"Barking dog" means a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any vocal noise for an extended period of time to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night, regardless of whether the dog is physically situated in or upon private property. Such extended period of time shall consist of continuous barking for 30 minutes or more, or intermittent barking for 60 minutes or more. ......
Leaf Blower Rules
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned citywide in San Clemente under Municipal Code Section 8.50.050, effective November 4, 2022. Electric leaf blowers are allowed only if rated at 65 dB(A) or quieter at 50 feet, used with the manufacturer's muffler and blower tube, and operated 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays or 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends and holidays.
San Clemente Leaf Blower Noise and Hours Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code §§ 8.50.050, 8.50.060(A)-(B)
The use of gas leaf blowers is prohibited [except when operated by City contractors for the term of contracts existing on September 7, 2021]. ... A.Sound Rating Certification. Leaf blower models shall be used that are category 1 rated by American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") or an outside laboratory (e.g., Underwriters Labatory) that confirm manufacturers of leaf blower models produce ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
San Clemente bans playing a loudspeaker, sound amplifier or similar device outside a vehicle so that sound is cast onto public streets, unless it is done under a City-issued Commercial Amplified Sound permit, Special Event Permit or Temporary Use Permit, per Section 8.48.070(C).
San Clemente Amplified Sound Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 8.48.070(C)
C.Loudspeakers, amplifiers in Public. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device, outside of a vehicle in public, for the producing or reproducing of sound which is cast upon the public streets for any purpose, except as permitted in Section 17.24.055, Comme...
Decibel Limits
San Clemente caps exterior noise measured at a neighboring property by land use and time of day: 55 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) at night for residential property, up to 70 dB(A) around the clock for industrial or manufacturing land, under Section 8.48.050.
San Clemente Noise Decibel Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 8.48.050
Land Use Allowable Exterior Noise Level 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Residential 55 dB (A) 50 dB (A) Residential portions of mixed-use, or residences located on property zoned for commercial, industrial or manufacturing land use 60 dB (A) 50 dB (A) Commercial 65 dB (A) 60 dB (A)* Industrial or manufacturing 70 dB (A) 70 dB (A)*
Vehicle Noise
San Clemente bans playing a car radio or stereo loud enough to disturb others or cross a property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and separately requires every vehicle exhaust to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise, under Section 8.48.070(B) and (F).
San Clemente Vehicle Stereo and Exhaust Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 8.48.070(B), (F)
B.Radios, phonographs, etc. on Private Property or Within Vehicles in Public. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, receiving set, television set, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, or similar device, on private property or within vehicles in public, which produces or reproduces sound:1.In such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of a person of...
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