Noise from Specific Sources in Alameda County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Alameda County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Alameda County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

Unincorporated Alameda County caps residential air conditioning and refrigeration equipment noise at 55 dB(A) for units installed before July 1980, and 50 dB(A) for newer units.

HVAC Noise Limits in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.60.050(C)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.60.040, where the intruding noise source, as measured pursuant to Section 6.60.030, is a residential air conditioning or refrigeration system or associated equipment installed prior to July 1, 1980, the exterior noise level shall not exceed fifty-five (55) dB(A). The exterior noise level shall not exceed fifty (50) dB(A) for such equipment installed a...

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Bar & Nightclub Noise

Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated Alameda County must keep exterior noise at or under the county's decibel table, day and night.

Bar Noise Limits in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.60.040

A.It is unlawful for any person at any location within the unincorporated area of the county to create any noise or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the exterior noise level when measured at any single- or multiple-family residential, school, hospital, church, public library or commercial properties situat...

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Car Alarm Limits

Unincorporated Alameda County requires any motor-vehicle burglar alarm to shut off within 15 minutes of activation: covering Castro Valley and other unincorporated communities, not Oakland, Berkeley, or the county's other cities.

Car Alarm Rules in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.60.050(B)(5)

5.Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless such alarm is terminated within fifteen (15) minutes of activation. Pre-existing installations will be allowed a period of ninety (90) days for correction;

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Delivery Truck Noise

Unincorporated Alameda County bars loading and unloading of crates, containers, or trash cans between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. if it disturbs a neighbor's residential property.

Delivery Truck Noise in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.60.050(B)(7)

Loading and Unloading. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, or similar objects between the hours of nine p.m. and six a.m. in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property line or at any time to violate the provisions of Section 6.60.040.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Low-Frequency Bass Limits

Unincorporated Alameda County bans stereo, TV and instrument sound plainly audible at 50 feet at any hour, and defines audible bass alone as enough to prove a violation.

Bass Noise Rule in Alameda County

Significant Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.60.050(D)

"Plainly audible" means any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties. As an example, if the sound source under investigation is a portable or personal vehicular sound amplification or reproduction device, the enforcement officer need not determine the title of a song, specific words, or the artist performing the song. The detection of the rhythmic base c...

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