Noise Rules: Martinez vs Walnut Creek
How do noise rules rules compare between Martinez, CA and Walnut Creek, CA?
Martinez has fewer restrictions than Walnut Creek.
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 →Walnut Creek, CA
Contra Costa County
Walnut Creek does not list short-term rentals as an allowed residential use, so all leases must run 31 days or longer and no STR-specific noise regime exists. The citywide nuisance noise rules in Municipal Code Chapter 4-6 apply to every dwelling, including the 8 AM-7 PM weekday and 9 AM-7 PM weekend window for landscaping or maintenance equipment.
View full Walnut Creek rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Martinez | Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| STR Status | - | Not a permitted use |
| Min Rental Term | - | 31 days |
| Landscaping Hours (weekday) | - | 8 AM - 7 PM |
| Landscaping Hours (weekend) | - | 9 AM - 7 PM |
| Noise Complaints | - | WCPD (925) 943-5844 |
| Report Unpermitted Rental | - | DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org |
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.
Walnut Creek FAQ
Are there special noise rules for Airbnbs in Walnut Creek?
No. Walnut Creek does not authorize short-term rentals, so no STR-specific noise regime exists. The citywide nuisance rules in Municipal Code Chapter 4-6 and the 8 AM-7 PM weekday equipment window apply to every residence.
How do I report a loud short-term rental in Walnut Creek?
Call WCPD non-emergency at (925) 943-5844 for the noise itself, and email DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org or call Planning at (925) 256-3558 to report the underlying unpermitted rental use.
Can my STR permit be revoked for noise?
Walnut Creek does not issue STR permits. Any rental shorter than 31 days is treated as an unpermitted use regardless of guest behavior.
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