Amplified Music & Events: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do amplified music & events rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Redwood City has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Municipal Code Section 9.22.020 requires a written permit from the chief of police before operating any loudspeaker or sound amplifier that projects sound outside a building or outdoors anywhere in Daly City, at any hour.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Amplified music in unincorporated San Mateo County is regulated by County Code Chapter 4.88: it must stay within the exterior dBA limits of Section 4.88.330 and must not be unreasonably loud under the General Noise Regulation (4.88.350). There is no separate county amplified-sound permit chapter in the noise code itself.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Permit issuer | Chief of police | - |
| Applies to | Any sound projected outdoors citywide | - |
| Permit contents | Name, purpose, time, place, end date | - |
| Nighttime limit | No audible sound off-property 10pm-6am | - |
| Governing chapter | - | County Code Chapter 4.88 |
| Exterior limits | - | Section 4.88.330 (Table I) |
| Nuisance standard | - | Section 4.88.350 |
| Daytime / nighttime | - | 7 a.m.-10 p.m. / 10 p.m.-7 a.m. |
| Enforcement | - | Sheriff / Code Enforcement (650) 363-4825 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Do I need a permit for outdoor speakers at an event in Daly City?
Yes. Section 9.22.020 requires a written permit from the chief of police before any loudspeaker or amplifier projects sound outside a building or outdoors anywhere in the city.
Can I play amplified music in my backyard at night?
No. Beyond the daytime permit requirement, Section 9.22.030 prohibits any music or sound audible beyond your property between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Redwood City FAQ
Is there a separate amplified-sound permit in unincorporated San Mateo County?
The County noise code (Chapter 4.88) does not contain a standalone amplified-sound permit section; amplified music is judged against the exterior dBA limits in 4.88.330 and the nuisance standard in 4.88.350.
When does amplified music become a violation?
When it exceeds the Table I exterior limits in 4.88.330 for the relevant time period, or qualifies as unreasonably loud noise disturbing the peace under 4.88.350.
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