Quiet Hours: San Francisco vs Seattle
How do quiet hours rules compare between San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA?
San Francisco and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco County
San Francisco regulates noise under Police Code Article 29 (Sections 2900-2920), administered by the Department of Public Health and enforced by SFPD. Quiet hours run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Section 2909 sets a fixed-source interior limit of 45 dBA at night and 55 dBA during the day inside residential sleeping or living rooms. Outdoor residential noise from machines, devices, music, or entertainment cannot exceed the local ambient by more than 5 dBA at the property line. Construction noise generally cannot exceed 80 dBA at 100 feet (Sec. 2907) and is restricted between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. without a special permit. Report violations to SFPD non-emergency at (415) 553-0123.
View full San Francisco rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 prohibits excessive noise. Nighttime quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM on weekends and legal holidays. Nighttime noise limits are reduced 10 dBA from daytime levels in residential districts.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Code Citation | Police Code Art. 29 (Sec. 2900-2920) | - |
| Quiet Hours | 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. | - |
| Interior Night Limit | 45 dBA (Sec. 2909) | - |
| Interior Day Limit | 55 dBA (Sec. 2909) | - |
| Outdoor Residential | 5 dBA above ambient | - |
| Complaint Line | SFPD (415) 553-0123 | - |
| Code | - | SMC Chapter 25.08 |
| Quiet Hours (Weekday) | - | 10 PM–7 AM |
| Quiet Hours (Weekend/Holiday) | - | 10 PM–9 AM |
| Fine | - | $150–$1,000 (1st offense); doubled thereafter |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Francisco FAQ
What are the quiet hours in San Francisco?
Quiet hours under Police Code Article 29 are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During these hours, fixed sources cannot exceed 45 dBA inside any residential sleeping or living room, and unreasonable human or animal noise is prohibited under Section 2908. Outdoor residential noise from machines, music, or entertainment cannot exceed 5 dBA above the local ambient at the property line at any time. Report disturbances to SFPD non-emergency at (415) 553-0123.
Can I do construction at night in San Francisco?
No, not without a permit. Police Code Section 2907 prohibits construction work between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and caps construction equipment noise at 80 dBA at 100 feet. Night work requires a Night Noise Permit from the San Francisco Department of Public Works. Working outside permitted hours can result in citations, administrative penalties, and stop-work orders.
Seattle FAQ
What are the quiet hours in Seattle?
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 prohibits excessive noise. Nighttime quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM on weekends and legal holidays. Nighttime noise limits are reduced 10 dBA from daytime levels in residential districts.
What happens if I violate the noise ordinance in Seattle?
Code: SMC Chapter 25.08. Quiet Hours (Weekday): 10 PM–7 AM. Quiet Hours (Weekend/Holiday): 10 PM–9 AM. Fine: $150–$1,000 (1st offense); doubled thereafter.
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