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

San Diego County Code § 36.404

Except as provided in section 36.409 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise, which exceeds the one-hour average sound level limits in Table 36.404, when the one-hour average sound level is measured at the property line of the property on which the noise is produced or at any location on a property that is receiving the noise. TABLE 36.40...

San Diego County Code § 36.404; § 36.414(c)(3)

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise, which exceeds the one-hour average sound level limits in Table 36.404... It shall be a prima facie violation of section 36.414(c)(2)(A) if a device for the production or reproduction of sound that is being operated, used or played is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more from the building, structure or v...

San Diego County Code § 36.415

(b) No motor vehicle owner shall install or have in his or her possession a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning automatic cutoff device that terminates any noise emanating from the alarm within 15 minutes from the time the alarm is activated. (c) Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, a law enforcement officer may deactivate a building or motor vehicle alarm aft...

San Diego County Code § 36.417(a)(4)-(5)

(4) The operation of an emergency generator after a power failure, by an employee or agent of a law enforcement agency, fire department, hospital or other medical or surgical facility that is providing emergency medical services. (5) The reasonable testing of an emergency generator by any person provided that the testing is conducted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

San Diego County Code § 36.402(o)

"Plainly audible" means 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 noise control officer need not determine the t...