Quiet Hours: Sutter vs Yuba City
How do quiet hours rules compare between Sutter, CA and Yuba City, CA?
Sutter and Yuba City have similar restriction levels.
Sutter, CA
Sutter County
Unincorporated Sutter County caps exterior noise at noise-sensitive properties at an hourly average of 55 dBA daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), with maximum levels of 70/65 dBA. Exceeding these standards at the receiving property line is unlawful.
View full Sutter rules →Yuba City, CA
Sutter County
Yuba City regulates noise under Yuba City Municipal Code (YCMC) Title 4 (Public Safety) Chapter 17 - Noise Regulations. The ordinance prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise within the city and uses a reasonable-person 'endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety' standard. Amplified entertainment must end by 10:00 p.m. citywide, except inside the downtown business district overlay (Plumas Street between SR-20/Colusa Avenue and Bridge Street, and Center Street between Plumas and Shasta) where amplification is allowed until midnight under a 2024 amendment.
View full Yuba City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Sutter | Yuba City |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime hours | 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. | - |
| Nighttime hours | 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. | - |
| Daytime limit | 55 dBA hourly Leq / 70 dBA max | - |
| Nighttime limit | 45 dBA hourly Leq / 65 dBA max | - |
| Music/speech penalty | Limits reduced by 5 dBA | - |
| Code section | Sutter County Zoning Code Sec. 1500-21.5-050 | - |
| Code Authority | - | YCMC Title 4 Chapter 17 - Noise Regulations |
| Standard | - | Reasonable-person - 'endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety' |
| Citywide Amplified Cutoff | - | 10:00 p.m. |
| Downtown Overlay Cutoff | - | Midnight (Plumas St SR-20 to Bridge; Center St Plumas to Shasta) - 2024 amendment |
| Penalty Schedule | - | $100 / $200 / $500 (1st / 2nd / 3rd within same year) |
| State Backstop | - | California Penal Code Section 415(2) - disturbing the peace |
| Reporting | - | YC311 portal; Code Enforcement (530) 822-4703 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Sutter FAQ
What are the quiet hours in unincorporated Sutter County?
Nighttime hours run from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., when the exterior noise limit at noise-sensitive properties drops to 45 dBA hourly Leq with a 65 dBA maximum. Daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) allows 55 dBA hourly Leq with a 70 dBA maximum.
Where is noise measured for a violation?
Noise is measured with a calibrated sound level meter within one foot (or as close as practicable) inside the property line of the receiving property closest to the noise source, with the microphone about five feet above ground where feasible (Sec. 1500-21.5-040).
Do these limits apply inside Yuba City or Live Oak?
No. The Sutter County Zoning Code noise standards apply only in unincorporated Sutter County. Yuba City and Live Oak enforce their own municipal noise ordinances.
Yuba City FAQ
What are quiet hours in Yuba City, CA?
YCMC Title 4 Chapter 17 (Noise Regulations) does not codify a single clock-time citywide quiet-hours window. The chapter prohibits noise that 'endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety' of a reasonable person at any hour. Amplified entertainment must end before 10:00 p.m. citywide, except inside the downtown business district overlay (Plumas Street between SR-20/Colusa Avenue and Bridge Street, and Center Street between Plumas and Shasta Street) where amplification is allowed until midnight under a 2024 amendment. First citation is a maximum $100 fine; second within the same year is up to $200; third is up to $500.
What is the penalty for a noise violation in Yuba City?
YCMC Chapter 17 carries a graduated fine schedule: a first citation has a maximum fine of $100, a second citation within the same year is up to $200, and a third within the same year is up to $500. Officers can also charge unreasonable noise under California Penal Code Section 415(2) (disturbing the peace) as a misdemeanor, though cite-and-release is typical. Report active disturbances via YC311 (yubacityca.citysourced.com) or call Code Enforcement at (530) 822-4703 during business hours.
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