Noise Ordinances in El Dorado County, CA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated El Dorado County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
El Dorado County does not impose a comprehensive countywide quiet-hours ordinance on residential properties in unincorporated areas. The county's only codified 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. quiet-hour rule applies to vacation home rentals; general disturbance complaints are handled by the Sheriff under California Penal Code section 415.
No general quiet-hours ordinance countywide
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code Enforcement Division FAQ (eldoradocounty.ca.gov)
There is no County wide Ordinance regarding construction start times, though the Sheriff's Office can respond to a construction noise complaint just as they would for a barking dog or loud stereo.
Construction Hours
El Dorado County has no countywide ordinance setting construction start or stop times for unincorporated properties. The Code Enforcement Division's official guidance is to ask the contractor to delay loud work until after 7:00 a.m. on weekdays (8:00 a.m. on weekends); the Sheriff may respond if the noise rises to disturbing the peace.
No countywide construction-hour limits
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code Enforcement Division FAQ
There is no County wide Ordinance regarding construction start times, though the Sheriff's Office can respond to a construction noise complaint just as they would for a barking dog or loud stereo. County staff suggests that residents ask the construction workers to postpone loud, noisy work until after 7:00 a.m. on weekdays (8:00 a.m. on weekends). If that approach doesn't produce the desired r...
Barking Dogs
El Dorado County Ordinance Code section 6.12.060 makes it unlawful for any dog or other animal to disturb the peace by habitual or persistent noise. Complaints are investigated by El Dorado County Animal Services and the Sheriff's Office, with a documented complaint process described in the county's Barking Dog brochure.
Barking dogs handled under Title 6 animal control
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Animal Services - Barking Dogs and Other Noise Problems; El Dorado County Code section 6.12.060
While barking is a natural form of canine communication, excessive barking can be a disturbance. El Dorado County ordinance 6.12.060 pertains to dogs and other animals disturbing the peace.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
El Dorado County's only specific amplified-music restriction is in its Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinance, which prohibits unreasonable noise (including amplified sound) and outdoor spa/hot-tub operation between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. For private residences, no county-wide decibel-based amplified-music ordinance exists; deputies enforce California Penal Code section 415.
Amplified-music rules apply only to vacation rentals
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Ordinance No. 5135 (VHR), Quiet Hours and Noise Provisions
Quiet hours are defined as the hours between 10:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. The owner shall use best efforts to ensure that the occupants and/or guests of the vacation home rental do not use or operate any outdoor spa or hot tub after 10:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m., or create unreasonable noise or disturbances.
Aircraft Noise
Aircraft noise around the Placerville, Georgetown, and Cameron Park airports is regulated through the El Dorado County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs), adopted by the EDCTC Airport Land Use Commission on June 28, 2012. The ALUCPs use CNEL noise contours (55-60, 60-65, 65-70 dB) to restrict noise-sensitive land uses in airport influence areas.
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan governs aircraft noise
Light RestrictionsEl Dorado County Transportation Commission - Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), ALUCPs adopted June 28, 2012
The El Dorado County Transportation Commission was designated as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for El Dorado County on July 3, 2008. The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs) were adopted by the EDCTC ALUC on June 28, 2012 for the Georgetown, Placerville, and Cameron Park Airpark Airports. The ALUC develops and adopts land use standards to minimize public exposure to safety haz...
Decibel Limits
Non-transportation noise reaching a sensitive receptor in unincorporated El Dorado County cannot exceed the hourly and maximum dBA levels set in Table 130.37.060.1 of the Zoning Ordinance: as low as 45 dBA hourly and 55 dBA maximum at night in Community and Rural Centers, and 40/50 dBA in Rural Regions, rising to 55/70 dBA for daytime noise in Community and Rural Centers.
El Dorado County Noise Decibel Limit Table
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.37.060(A), Table 130.37.060.1
Noise sensitive land uses affected by non-transportation noise sources shall not exceed standards set forth in Table 130.37.060.1 (Noise Level Performance Standards for Noise Sensitive Land Uses Affected by Non-Transportation Sources) below in this Section: Daytime 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Evening 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Night 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Community/Rural Centers Rural Regions Community/Rural Centers Rural Regio...
Vehicle Noise
Operating a vehicle or other internal combustion engine without a proper, functioning muffler is unlawful anywhere in unincorporated El Dorado County under Section 9.16.030. The muffler must be designed for that engine, kept in good operating condition, and free of any cutout, bypass, or similar device that lets exhaust noise escape unchecked.
El Dorado County Ban on Unmuffled Engines
Heavy RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 9.16.030
It is unlawful for any person to operate an internal combustion engine in the unincorporated territory of the County that is not equipped with a muffler designed for use with the engine, which is in good operating condition and is not equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. Any person convicted of violation of this section shall be punished according to the general penalties described...
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