Noise Ordinances in San Francisco, CA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
San Francisco caps fixed-source indoor noise in dwelling units at 45 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., rising to 55 dBA during daytime hours, to protect sleep.
SF Nighttime Indoor Noise Limit 45 dBA
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 2909(d)
no fixed noise source may cause the noise level measured inside any sleeping or living room in any dwelling unit located on residential property to exceed 45 dBA between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. or 55 dBA between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00p.m. with windows open except where building ventilation is achieved through mechanical systems that allow windows to remain closed. (e) ...
Construction Hours
San Francisco bars construction, demolition, and excavation work between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when its noise tops the ambient level by 5 dBA, unless a special night work permit is granted.
SF Bars Loud Construction Work at Night
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 2908
It shall be unlawful for any person, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. of any day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day to erect, construct, demolish, excavate for, alter or repair any building or structure if the noise level created thereby is in excess of the ambient noise level by 5 dBA at the nearest property plane, unless a special permit therefor has been applied for and granted...
Barking Dogs
San Francisco bans keeping a dog that barks continuously for 10 minutes and disturbs others, letting neighbors request a police citation against the owner.
Barking Dog Nuisance Rules in San Francisco
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code Sec. 41.12(d)
Any person who shall keep or permit to remain on any premises within the City and County of San Francisco any "Barking Dog" as defined in Section 41(i) of this Code, is guilty of a violation of this ordinance, provided that, during the time the dog is barking, no person is trespassing...or teasing or provoking the dog.
Leaf Blower Rules
San Francisco bans the sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers under Health Code Article 29 and aligns with California AB 1346, which phased out small off-road gasoline engines beginning in 2024.
Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Prohibited Citywide
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Sec. 43018.11 (AB 1346 — Statewide Ban on New Gas-Powered Small Off-Road Engines, Including Leaf Blowers)
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
Playing amplified music or sound equipment audible 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is a prima facie Police Code violation citywide.
Amplified Sound Time Limit in San Francisco
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Police Code Sec. 49(b)
The operation of any such set, instrument, phonograph, juke box, broadcasting equipment, machine, or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the property line of the property from whence the sound is emitted, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this Section 49. (c) The operation of any such se...
Decibel Limits
On San Francisco residential property, machines, devices, or music cannot exceed the ambient sound level by more than five decibels at any point outside the property line.
SF Residential Noise Capped at Ambient +5 dBA
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 2909(a)(1)
No person shall produce or allow to be produced by any machine, or device, music or entertainment or any combination of same, on residential property over which the person has ownership or control, a noise level more than five dBA above the ambient at any point outside of the property plane. (2) No person shall produce or allow to be produced by any machine, or device, music or entertai...