Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Noise Ordinances in Santa Clara, CA (2026)

9 verified noise ordinances for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Santa Clara enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM weekdays and 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 9.10, with exterior noise limits measured at the property line.

Santa Clara Quiet Hours

Some Restrictions

Construction Hours

Santa Clara permits construction Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with no Sunday or holiday work allowed under City Code Chapter 9.10.

Santa Clara Construction Hours

Some Restrictions

Barking Dogs

Santa Clara prohibits habitual barking that disturbs neighbors under City Code Chapter 6.10, with dogs barking continuously for 30 minutes or intermittently for 60 minutes constituting a nuisance.

Santa Clara Barking Dogs

Some Restrictions

Leaf Blower Rules

Santa Clara restricts leaf blower operation to 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekends, with gas-powered models phased out under California AB 1346 (SORE regulation) effective 2024.

Santa Clara Leaf Blower Rules

Heavy Restrictions

California AB 1346 (2021) — Health and Safety Code § 43018.11 (Small Off-Road Engines — Zero-Emission)

(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, whicheve...

Amplified Music & Events

Santa Clara regulates amplified sound and music through City Code Chapter 9.10, requiring permits for amplified events and prohibiting audible music at 50 feet from the source after 10:00 PM.

Santa Clara Amplified Music

Some Restrictions

Aircraft Noise

Santa Clara lies adjacent to San Jose International Airport (SJC). Aircraft noise is federally preempted under FAA Part 150, but complaints are handled by the SJC Airport Noise Office.

Santa Clara Aircraft Noise

Few Restrictions

Industrial Noise

Santa Clara sets industrial zone noise limits at 70 dBA daytime and 70 dBA nighttime at receiving property lines under City Code Chapter 9.10, with stricter limits applied at residential boundaries.

Santa Clara Industrial Noise

Some Restrictions

Decibel Limits

Santa Clara sets decibel limits by zone under City Code Chapter 9.10: 50/55 dBA residential, 60/65 dBA commercial, and 70 dBA industrial, measured at the receiving property line.

Santa Clara Decibel Limits

Some Restrictions

Outdoor Music

Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplified outdoor music generally prohibited after 10:00 PM.

Santa Clara Outdoor Music

Some Restrictions

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Santa Clara County