Noise from Specific Sources in San Bernardino County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in San Bernardino County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

Rooftop and ground-mounted air conditioners, heat pumps and ventilation equipment in unincorporated San Bernardino County must stay under 55 dB(A) daytime and 45 dB(A) at night at the nearest home's property line.

San Bernardino County HVAC Noise Limits

Some Restrictions

San Bernardino County Code § 83.01.080(c)

Table 83-2 Noise Standards for Stationary Noise Sources ... Residential 55 dB(A) [7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.] 45 dB(A) [10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.] ... No person shall operate or cause to be operated a source of sound at a location ... which causes the noise level, when measured on another property, either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed any one of the following: (A) The noise standard for the re...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bar & Nightclub Noise

San Bernardino County Code § 24.0706(b) bars sound amplifying equipment or live music from being plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., a standard that reaches bars, nightclubs and any venue running amplified sound or bands near homes. The County can cite a violation without a decibel meter reading.

San Bernardino County Nightclub Noise Curfew

Some Restrictions

San Bernardino County Code § 24.0706(b)

(b) Sound Amplifying Equipment and Live Music. No person shall install, use or operate sound amplifying equipment, or perform, or allow to be performed, live music, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., such that the sound amplifying equipment or live music is plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than a dwelling in which the sound source is located. Sound level measurement...

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Generator Noise

Standby and portable generators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 limits (45 dBA night residential). PSPS and emergency use is exempt. SCAQMD Rule 1470 permits stationary units over 50 hp.

San Bernardino County Generator Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1470 — Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines (Amended October 1, 2021), subdivisions (a) Applicability and (c)(2)(C)(i) Hours of Operating Requirements

This rule shall apply to any person who owns or operates a stationary CI engine in the South Coast Air Quality Management District with a rated brake horsepower greater than 50 (>50 bhp)... EMERGENCY STANDBY ENGINE means a stationary engine that... is installed for the primary purpose of providing electrical power or mechanical work during an emergency use and is not the source of primary power...

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Low-Frequency Bass Limits

In unincorporated San Bernardino County, a car stereo or speaker's rhythmic bass alone is enough to prove a plainly-audible noise violation: no decibel meter needed.

San Bernardino County Bass Noise Rule

Some Restrictions

San Bernardino County Code § 24.0702(n)

PLAINLY AUDIBLE. Any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties. As an example, if the sound source under investigation is a portable or personal vehicular sound amplification or reproduction device, the detection of the rhythmic base component of music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound. The enforcement authority need not determine the title, s...

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