Decibel Limits: Fresno vs Selma
How do decibel limits rules compare between Fresno, CA and Selma, CA?
Fresno and Selma have similar restriction levels.
Fresno, CA
Fresno County
Fresno uses a receiving-zone dBA schedule in FMC §10-105. Residential properties are capped at 60 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM. Commercial zones are capped at 65 dBA / 60 dBA, and industrial at 75 dBA around the clock. Exceedance for more than 30 minutes in any hour is a violation.
View full Fresno rules →Selma, CA
Fresno County
Selma establishes decibel measurement criteria in Section 6-17-3 and monitoring procedures in Section 6-17-4. The prima facie violation threshold is 5 dB over the ambient noise level measured at the property line of the affected person (Section 6-17-6).
View full Selma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fresno | Selma |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Threshold | - | 5 dB over ambient |
| Measurement Point | - | Property line of affected person |
| Apartments | - | Measured within adjoining unit |
| Code Sections | - | SMC 6-17-3, 6-17-4, 6-17-6 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fresno FAQ
How loud can my backyard A/C unit be in Fresno?
Sound at your neighbor's property line cannot exceed 60 dBA during the day or 50 dBA at night. Most modern condensers run 55-70 dBA at 3 feet, so placement and screening matter.
Does Fresno PD use a decibel meter?
Officers and code enforcement carry calibrated sound level meters and can cite by meter reading or by the plainly-audible standard in FMC §10-105.
Selma FAQ
What is the decibel limit in Selma?
Selma uses a relative standard: any noise exceeding the ambient level by more than 5 dB at the property line is a prima facie violation. There is no single fixed decibel cap.
How is noise measured for enforcement?
Sound is measured at the property line of the affected person following the monitoring procedures in SMC 6-17-4. The ambient noise level is used as the baseline.
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