Decibel Limits: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do decibel limits rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City does NOT set numeric decibel (dB or dB(A)) limits. The Municipal Code uses a qualitative standard: § 9.22.010 prohibits noise that disturbs the public peace, and § 9.22.030 prohibits any noise audible beyond the property line between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Officers determine violations based on audibility and reasonableness, not sound-level meter readings.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
No data available yet for San Mateo.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime dB limit | None — qualitative 'disturbs the peace' (§ 9.22.010) | - |
| Nighttime rule | 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., no audible noise across property line (§ 9.22.030) | - |
| Enforcement method | Officer audibility test, not sound meter | - |
| Loud-party civil fine | $1,500 first offense (§ 9.23.030) | - |
| Planning guidance | 65 dB CNEL residential compatibility (General Plan Noise Element) | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Does Daly City use a decibel meter to enforce noise rules?
Not routinely. Chapter 9.22 is a qualitative ordinance — officers rely on direct observation of audibility across the property line and the reasonable-person standard, not dB meter readings.
What dB level is 'too loud' in Daly City?
There is no numeric limit. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., any noise audible beyond your property line technically violates § 9.22.030. During the day, the test is whether the noise disturbs the public peace under § 9.22.010.
Where do I report a noise violation?
Call Daly City Police non-emergency at (650) 991-8119. For loud parties involving underage drinking, the dedicated $1,500-per-incident loud-gathering ordinance (§ 9.23.030) applies.
San Mateo FAQ
No FAQs available.
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