Construction Hours: Burbank vs Santa Monica
How do construction hours rules compare between Burbank, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Burbank has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Burbank Municipal Code (BMC) Title 9, Article 3 (Environmental Protection) restricts permitted construction activity to weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city holidays. Homeowners performing their own work may work Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; hired contractors follow the same Saturday window.
View full Burbank rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.12.110 limits construction to 8 AM–6 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM–5 PM Saturday. No construction on Sundays or holidays. High-impact equipment (pile drivers, jackhammers) is further restricted to 10 AM–3 PM weekdays only. After-hours permits available.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | BMC Title 9, Article 3 (Environmental Protection) | - |
| Weekday Hours | 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri) | - |
| Saturday Hours | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | - |
| Sunday/Holidays | Prohibited (except emergencies) | - |
| Maximum Penalty | $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail (misdemeanor) | - |
| Mon–Fri | - | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | - | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| High-Impact | - | 10 AM – 3 PM weekdays |
| Code | - | SMMC §4.12.110 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Can my contractor work on Saturdays in Burbank?
Yes, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. only. Construction on Saturdays outside that window or on Sundays/holidays violates BMC Title 9 Article 3 and is a misdemeanor.
What if my project requires Sunday work?
You must apply for a variance through Burbank Code Enforcement (818-238-5180). The city grants variances primarily for emergencies, public-works projects, or situations where weekday work would create a worse impact (e.g., on a major street).
What's the fine for noisy construction outside legal hours?
The violation is a misdemeanor under BMC Article 3, punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Most enforcement begins with a warning then escalates to citations.
Santa Monica FAQ
When can construction happen in Santa Monica?
8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday. No construction on Sundays or holidays. High-impact equipment like jackhammers is limited to 10 AM to 3 PM weekdays.
Can I get a permit for after-hours construction?
Yes. Apply for an After-Hours Construction Permit from the Building and Safety Division. Conditions may include noise mitigation measures and neighbor notification.
Compare other topics
See how Burbank and Santa Monica compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool