Noise Rules: Brentwood vs Richmond
How do noise rules rules compare between Brentwood, CA and Richmond, CA?
Richmond has fewer restrictions than Brentwood.
Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
Brentwood prohibits short-term rentals citywide under Municipal Code Chapter 17.796 (Ord. 1079, adopted Dec 10, 2024), so STR-specific noise rules do not apply. Any rental of 30 days or fewer is unlawful, leaving Brentwood's general noise ordinance to govern occupant conduct at long-term rentals.
View full Brentwood rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Richmond's Community Noise Ordinance (RMC Chapter 9.52) caps single-family residential property-line noise at 60 dBA, dropping to 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. STR guests must comply with the same standards.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brentwood | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| STR Status | Banned citywide | - |
| Code Section | BMC Ch. 17.796 | RMC Chapter 9.52 |
| Ordinance | No. 1079 (Dec 10, 2024) | - |
| Threshold | 30 days or fewer prohibited | - |
| ADUs | Included in ban | - |
| Hosted Stays | No exception | - |
| SFR Daytime Limit | - | 60 dBA at property line |
| Nighttime Hours | - | 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. |
| Nighttime Limit | - | 50 dBA at residential boundary |
| Power Tool Curfew | - | 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. weekdays |
| Penalty | - | Misdemeanor; daily offense |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brentwood FAQ
Are there quiet hours for short-term rentals in Brentwood?
No, because short-term rentals are themselves prohibited under BMC Chapter 17.796. There is no STR program to attach quiet-hours conditions to.
Does the unincorporated Contra Costa County STR noise rule apply inside Brentwood?
No. County Chapter 88-32 (Ord. 2020-12) governs unincorporated areas only; inside Brentwood, the citywide STR ban controls.
What if my neighbor is renting nightly?
Report it to City of Brentwood code enforcement. Stays of 30 days or fewer violate Chapter 17.796 and can trigger citations and abatement.
Richmond FAQ
What are quiet hours for STR guests in Richmond, CA?
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The exterior noise limit drops by 10 dBA in residential zones, and noise from other zones cannot exceed 50 dBA at the residential boundary.
What is the daytime noise limit in a Richmond single-family neighborhood?
60 dBA measured at the property line, not to be exceeded more than 30 minutes in any hour, per RMC 9.52.100.
Is the STR owner responsible for guest noise violations?
Yes. RMC 9.52.120(a) imposes strict liability on owners, tenants, and operators, and requires reasonable abatement measures including eviction proceedings if necessary.
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