Noise Rules: Martinez vs Richmond
How do noise rules rules compare between Martinez, CA and Richmond, CA?
Martinez and Richmond have similar restriction levels.
Martinez, CA
Contra Costa County
Martinez does not publish a separate STR-specific noise standard. Any short-term lodging activity in the city must comply with the citywide Noise Control ordinance in Martinez Municipal Code Chapter 8.34, the general nuisance provisions in Title 1, and any conditions imposed through the bed-and-breakfast / lodging framework cross-referenced from MMC Section 22.04.051. Persistent noise disturbances at a guest-occupied dwelling can be cited as a public nuisance and can also support enforcement against any underlying use permit.
View full Martinez rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Richmond's Community Noise Ordinance (RMC Chapter 9.52) caps single-family residential property-line noise at 60 dBA, dropping to 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. STR guests must comply with the same standards.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Martinez | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Citywide Noise Code | MMC Chapter 8.34 (Noise Control) | - |
| STR-Specific Noise Rule | None - general Chapter 8.34 applies | - |
| B&B / Lodging Framework | MMC Section 22.04.051 | - |
| County STR Quiet Hours | Do not apply inside Martinez (Ord. 2020-12 is unincorporated only) | - |
| Active Complaints | Martinez Police Department non-emergency | - |
| Repeat Patterns | Martinez Code Enforcement / nuisance abatement | - |
| Code Section | - | RMC Chapter 9.52 |
| SFR Daytime Limit | - | 60 dBA at property line |
| Nighttime Hours | - | 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. |
| Nighttime Limit | - | 50 dBA at residential boundary |
| Power Tool Curfew | - | 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. weekdays |
| Penalty | - | Misdemeanor; daily offense |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Martinez FAQ
Does Martinez have a special quiet-hours rule for short-term rentals?
No. Martinez has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance with its own quiet-hours standard. STR guests are bound by the same Chapter 8.34 Noise Control rules as any other resident, plus any conditions attached to a bed-and-breakfast approval under Section 22.04.051.
Do Contra Costa County's STR noise rules apply in Martinez?
No. The county's STR ordinance (Ordinance 2020-12 / Chapter 88-32) applies only in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Inside Martinez city limits, the city's own Chapter 8.34 noise rules and general nuisance provisions govern.
Who do neighbors call about noise from a vacation rental in Martinez?
Active disturbances should be reported to the Martinez Police Department non-emergency line. Repeated patterns can also be reported to Martinez Code Enforcement, which can pursue administrative citations and, where applicable, revocation of any underlying B&B or conditional use approval.
Richmond FAQ
What are quiet hours for STR guests in Richmond, CA?
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The exterior noise limit drops by 10 dBA in residential zones, and noise from other zones cannot exceed 50 dBA at the residential boundary.
What is the daytime noise limit in a Richmond single-family neighborhood?
60 dBA measured at the property line, not to be exceeded more than 30 minutes in any hour, per RMC 9.52.100.
Is the STR owner responsible for guest noise violations?
Yes. RMC 9.52.120(a) imposes strict liability on owners, tenants, and operators, and requires reasonable abatement measures including eviction proceedings if necessary.
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