10 rules for unincorporated Modoc County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Modoc County has no general clock-based quiet-hours ordinance and no countywide decibel limit. Persistent disturbing noise is handled as a public nuisance under Chapter 8.20 (Government Code Section 25845) by the Sheriff and code enforcement, alongside California Penal Code Section 415 for disturbing the peace.
Modoc County's code sets no specific construction or grading hours for the unincorporated county and no construction-noise decibel limit. Construction noise is only restricted if it becomes a public nuisance under Chapter 8.20. Building work still requires permits under Title 15 and inspection per the county Building Department.
Modoc County's Dog Control chapter (Chapter 6.02) regulates dangerous and vicious dogs but contains no barking-noise standard. A continually barking dog is addressed as a public nuisance under Chapter 8.20 and through California Food and Agricultural Code provisions, rather than a dedicated barking ordinance with fixed time limits.
Modoc County has no leaf-blower ordinance. A search of the county code returned zero results for 'leaf blower' or 'blower,' so there are no time-of-day limits or noise caps on leaf blowers. Equipment noise is only restricted if it becomes a public nuisance under Chapter 8.20.
Modoc County regulates amplified sound mainly through Chapter 5.20 (Sound Trucks and Sound Amplifying Equipment). For mobile amplified sound it caps power at 15 watts, requires audibility within 100 feet, bars use near hospitals, schools, churches and courthouses, and limits hours. Other amplified music falls under nuisance Chapter 8.20.
Aircraft noise over Modoc County is governed by federal law (FAA) and the California State Aeronautics Act, which preempt local noise curfews. The county's airport rules (Chapter 16.04) set operational and safety standards but no noise limit. The Right-to-Farm chapter notes farm aircraft (crop-dusting) noise as an accepted rural condition.
Modoc County has no industrial decibel standard. Industrial and commercial noise is controlled through zoning performance language requiring uses not to emit unacceptable noise across property lines, the use-permit process, and the public-nuisance chapter (8.20). Accepted agricultural operations are shielded from nuisance claims by Right-to-Farm Chapter 8.28.
Modoc County sets no general decibel limit for the unincorporated county. The single numeric standard in the code is in zoning Section 18.100.010: home occupations may not create noise exceeding 55 decibels measured at the lot line (A-weighted scale, slow response). All other noise is handled as a public nuisance.
Modoc County has no dedicated outdoor-music or amplified-event ordinance. Mobile amplified sound is regulated under Chapter 5.20 (sound trucks). Fixed outdoor music and events are controlled through zoning use-permit conditions barring offensive noise and through the public-nuisance process in Chapter 8.20, plus Penal Code Section 415.
Modoc County's code has no local vehicle-noise or muffler ordinance and no compression-brake (Jake brake) restriction. On-road vehicle noise is governed by California Vehicle Code Sections 27150-27151 (adequate muffler, no exhaust amplification), enforced by the Sheriff and CHP. Off-road motorboats need mufflers under county Chapter 8.12.
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