10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, the Development Code sets a nighttime quiet period of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., when the stationary-source noise standard at a residence drops to 45 dB(A) Leq from the 55 dB(A) daytime limit. A separate County Code section also prohibits disturbing or offensive noise at any hour.
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, the Development Code exempts temporary construction, maintenance, repair, and demolition from the noise standards only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., except on Sundays and Federal holidays. Construction outside those hours is not exempt and requires County approval.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County prohibits habitual, annoying animal noise from residential properties under County Code Section 32.0119. Animal Care first sends a Courtesy Abatement Letter giving the owner two weeks to resolve the problem; continued violations draw escalating citations starting at $100.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has no ordinance banning or specifically restricting leaf blowers. Their use is governed by the general noise rules: the Development Code stationary-source standards (55 dB(A) day / 45 dB(A) night at a residence) and the County's prohibition on disturbing, excessive, or offensive noise (Section 24.0705). New gas blowers are also subject to California's statewide small-engine rule.
Cal. AB 1346 (2021) — Small Off-Road Engines (Gas Leaf Blower Phase-Out)
Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. [...] This bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2022, consistent with federal law, to adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines, a...
Unincorporated San Bernardino County prohibits loud music and noise from audio or sound-amplifying equipment under County Code Section 24.0705. Amplified sound that is disturbing, excessive, or offensive to a reasonable person is unlawful; short-term rentals face additional limits under Section 84.28.070(h).
Aircraft noise in unincorporated San Bernardino County is not controlled by County ordinance. Federal law preempts local regulation of aircraft operations and noise: the FAA has exclusive authority over navigable airspace, and the Supreme Court (City of Burbank v. Lockheed) confirmed federal law preempts local aircraft-noise rules. The County addresses aircraft only through land-use compatibility planning.
Industrial and stationary-source noise in unincorporated San Bernardino County is capped by Development Code Section 83.01.080. The limit depends on the receiving land use: 55/45 dB(A) Leq day/night at a residence, but up to 70 dB(A) Leq at an industrial receiver. A separate vibration standard (Section 83.01.090) also applies.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County sets numeric noise limits in Development Code Section 83.01.080, Table 5. For a residential receiving use, a stationary source may not exceed 55 dB(A) Leq from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 45 dB(A) Leq from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Higher limits apply to commercial and industrial uses, with short-duration allowances.
Outdoor music in unincorporated San Bernardino County is governed by County Code Section 24.0705, which bars loud music and amplified sound that is disturbing, excessive, or offensive. Short-term rentals face a specific rule (Section 84.28.070(h)) with outdoor noise monitoring, and fixed outdoor systems must meet the Development Code residential standards.
Motor-vehicle noise on roads in unincorporated San Bernardino County is governed mainly by the California Vehicle Code, which the state controls: every vehicle must have an adequate muffler and no exhaust cutout (Sec. 27150), modified exhausts may not exceed 95 dBA (Sec. 27151), and a vehicle sound system audible 50+ feet away is prohibited (Sec. 27007).
8 cities in San Bernardino County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
10 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
10 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
10 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
10 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
See every category we cover for San Bernardino County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
San Bernardino County Ordinance Hub →