Amplified Music & Events: Long Beach vs South Gate
How do amplified music & events rules compare between Long Beach, CA and South Gate, CA?
Long Beach has fewer restrictions than South Gate.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Amplified music in Long Beach is regulated under LBMC Ch. 8.80. Noise that exceeds established decibel levels for the zone is prohibited. Nightclubs and bars with amplified music face additional sound attenuation requirements.
View full Long Beach rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate has explicit, numeric limits on amplified music. Under SGMC §7.44.020.02(b), any radio, television, record player, tape or video recorder, or other electronic entertainment device that can be heard more than 225 feet from the source is an 'offensive portable noise emission' and a misdemeanor. The same section sets a decibel scale: 70 dB at 10 feet, 68 dB at 15 ft, 65 dB at 20 ft, 62 dB at 25 ft, 60 dB at 30 ft, 58 dB at 35 ft. A separate 'loud party' rule under §7.44.020.02(c) makes any gathering of two or more people audible 30 feet beyond the property boundary unlawful.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Code | LBMC Ch. 8.80 | - |
| Standard | Must not exceed zone dB levels | - |
| Enforcement | Health Dept + LBPD | - |
| Variances | Available from Noise Control Officer | - |
| Plain-audibility limit | - | 225 ft from source (SGMC §7.44.020.02(b)) |
| Decibel limit at 25 ft | - | 62 dB max (slowed response) |
| Decibel limit at 35 ft | - | 58 dB max (slowed response) |
| Loud-party rule | - | 2+ people audible 30 ft past property line (§7.44.020.02(c)) |
| Penalty | - | Misdemeanor; each hour a separate offense (§7.44.050) |
| Equipment scope | - | Includes Bluetooth speakers and fixed home stereos |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Can I play loud music outside in Long Beach?
Amplified music must comply with residential noise limits under LBMC 8.80.150, with an additional 5 dB reduction applied because it contains informational content. Loudspeakers are completely prohibited between 10 PM and 7 AM if audible across residential property lines.
What is the decibel limit for music in Long Beach?
Music is subject to standard residential limits minus 5 dB: effectively 45 dBA (L50) daytime and 40 dBA (L50) nighttime at the receiving residential property, per LBMC 8.80.150 and 8.80.160.
South Gate FAQ
Can South Gate police shut down my backyard party?
Yes. Under §7.44.020.02(c), if two or more people's noise can be heard 30 feet beyond your property line, the gathering is an offensive portable noise emission and police can order it shut down. Continued operation can be charged as a misdemeanor with each hour a separate count under §7.44.050(a).
What is the actual decibel limit for outdoor music in South Gate?
§7.44.020.02(b) sets a sliding scale: 70 dB measured at 10 feet from the source, 65 dB at 20 ft, 62 dB at 25 ft, 60 dB at 30 ft, and 58 dB at 35 ft, on a slow-response meter. Independently, if the sound is plainly audible more than 225 feet from the source, that alone is a violation.
Do these rules apply during the day too?
Yes. Chapter 7.44 does not specify quiet-hours windows — the audibility, decibel, and 30-foot party limits apply 24 hours a day. Time of day can affect the reasonable-person analysis under §7.44.020.02(a) for borderline cases, but the bright-line distance and decibel limits in (b) and (c) are time-independent.
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