Noise Ordinances in Monterey County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Monterey County regulates noise under County Code Chapter 10.60. Section 10.60.040 governs nighttime noise, prohibiting any loud and unreasonable sound and adopting exterior standards of 45 Leq dBA and 65 dBA maximum, measured at the property line. A 2019 amendment added a 'plainly audible' standard. HCD and the Sheriff enforce.
Monterey County Quiet Hours and Nighttime Noise
Light RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.60.040(A)-(B)
It is prohibited within the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey to make, assist in making, allow, continue, create, or cause to be made, any loud and unreasonable sound any day of the week from 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. the following morning. Table 1: Nighttime hourly equivalent sound level (Leq dBA) 45; Maximum level, dBA 65.
Construction Hours
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 sets no fixed daytime construction curfew. Construction equipment is subject to the device limit in Sec. 10.60.030 (any time of day) and to the Sec. 10.60.040 nighttime standards. Construction-hour limits are usually imposed as project Conditions of Approval and on grading permits under County Code Chapter 16.08.
Monterey County Construction Noise Hours
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.60.030
At any time of the day, it is prohibited within the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey to operate ... any machine, mechanism, device, or contrivance which produces a noise level exceeding eighty-five (85) dBA measured fifty (50) feet therefrom. The prohibition in this Section shall not apply to aircraft nor to any such machine ... that is operated in excess of two thousand five hundr...
Barking Dogs
Chapter 10.60 of the Monterey County Code has no dedicated barking-dog section, so persistent animal noise is addressed through the Sec. 10.60.040 nighttime prohibition and animal-control authority. Loud, long-continued barking that is plainly audible or exceeds the nighttime property-line standards can support a complaint; daytime animal noise is treated as a public nuisance.
Monterey County Barking Dog and Animal Noise
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.36.010
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, or permit on any lot or parcel of land, any dogs, cats, household pets, or any other animal which by any sound or cry shall disturb the peace and comfort of any neighborhood.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music is the County's top noise complaint, especially at large parties in North Monterey County. Under County Code Sec. 10.60.040, nighttime amplified sound that is loud and unreasonable, plainly audible at 50 feet, or above 45 Leq / 65 dBA is prohibited. Large events also require HCD special-event permits.
Monterey County Amplified Music and Party Noise
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.60.030
At any time of the day, it is prohibited within the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey to operate, assist in operating, allow, or cause to be operated, any machine, mechanism, device, or contrivance which produces a noise level exceeding eighty-five (85) dBA measured fifty (50) feet therefrom.
Aircraft Noise
Aircraft noise is not controlled by the Monterey County noise ordinance: County Code Sec. 10.60.030 expressly states its prohibition 'shall not apply to aircraft.' Aircraft operations are regulated by the FAA, with voluntary noise-abatement programs run by the Monterey Peninsula Airport District at Monterey Regional Airport, including preferred runways and a voluntary overnight non-operation period.
Monterey County Aircraft Noise
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.60.030
The prohibition in this Section shall not apply to aircraft nor to any such machine, mechanism, device or contrivance that is operated in excess of two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet from any occupied dwelling unit.
Noise Ordinances by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Monterey County ordinances
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