Noise Ordinances in Napa County, CA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Napa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Napa County's Noise Control Regulations (Chapter 8.16) set lower nighttime exterior and interior noise standards from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., effectively functioning as nighttime quiet hours in unincorporated areas.
Nighttime Quiet Hours in Unincorporated Napa County
Some RestrictionsNapa County General Plan Noise Element / Napa County Code Table 8.16.060
Daytime (7 a.m. - 10 p.m.) maximum interior noise levels for residential uses are limited to 60 A-weighted decibels (dBA); nighttime (10 p.m. - 7 a.m.) maximum interior noise levels are limited to 55 dBA.
Construction Hours
Section 8.16.080 of the Napa County Code prohibits operating construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition tools and equipment in a manner that creates a noise disturbance between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in the unincorporated county.
Construction Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Light RestrictionsNapa County Jail Project EIR Section 3.8 (Noise), summarizing Napa County Code section 8.16.080
Section 8.16.080 regulates noise generated by operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition work between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by variance issued by the county.
Barking Dogs
In unincorporated Napa County, habitual barking and other animal noise is regulated through Chapter 8.16's general noise-disturbance prohibition rather than a dedicated barking-dog section, and animal-control complaints are handled by the Napa County Animal Services agency.
Barking Dogs and Habitual Animal Noise
Light RestrictionsNapa County Code section 8.16.040 (General noise restrictions designated)
It is unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or which causes any discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area.
Leaf Blower Rules
Unincorporated Napa County does not have a stand-alone leaf-blower ban. Powered garden tools (leaf blowers, mowers, chainsaws) are regulated under the general property-line noise standards in Napa County Code §8.16.070 and the prohibited-noise list in §8.16.080. They cannot be operated in a way that creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line and cannot exceed the §8.16.070 exterior limits, which are lower between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Napa County Leaf Blower and Powered Garden Equipment Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 41015 (AB 1346, 2021)
small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. The bill would require the state board to identify and, to the extent feasible, make available funding for commercial rebates or similar incentive funding as part of any updates to existing applicable funding program guidelines to local air pollution control districts and air quality management districts to implement to support the transiti...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Section 8.16.080 of the Napa County Code prohibits loudspeakers, radios, televisions, musical instruments and similar devices from being operated in a manner that creates a noise disturbance, except under a variance issued by the Noise Control Officer.
Amplified Music and Sound Equipment Limits
Heavy RestrictionsNapa County Jail Project EIR Section 3.8 (Noise), citing Napa County Code section 8.16.080
The use of loudspeakers, amplified sound devices, radios, television sets, musical instruments and similar devices, and powered motor vehicles are subject to the County's noise standards under Section 8.16.080.
Aircraft Noise
The Napa County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) administers the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), which uses a 65 dB CNEL noise contour around Napa County Airport and Angwin-Parrett Field to determine compatible land uses.
Aircraft Noise: 65 dB CNEL Airport Compatibility
Some RestrictionsNapa County General Plan Noise Element / Napa County ALUCP
The standard for the acceptable level of aircraft noise for persons living in the vicinity of airports is established to be a community noise equivalent level (CNEL) of 65 decibels. Land uses such as residences, schools, hospitals, or places of worship exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 65 dB CNEL are deemed to be in a noise impact area.
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