Noise Ordinances in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 40 (Nighttime Noise Restrictions) bars loud, unreasonable amplified noise broadcast outdoors in the unincorporated county from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Santa Barbara County Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code, Ch. 40 (Nighttime Noise Restrictions), Sec. 40-2
No loud or unreasonable noise or music can be broadcast outside of any residence or building by musical instruments, drums, speakers, radios, or any other device that reproduces or broadcasts sounds [during prohibited hours: Sun-Thu 10pm-7am, Fri-Sat midnight-7am]. Any person in violation is subject to an infraction citation and a fine not to exceed $100 for a first violation.
Construction Hours
Grading work that needs a county grading permit cannot run between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. under County Code Sec. 14-22, unless the director of planning and development finds the work won't create a significant public nuisance or must happen at other times, and approves night work in writing.
Santa Barbara County Grading Work Hour Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 14-22
Sec. 14-22. - Grading hours; limitation. No grading work (except for emergency operations), which requires a grading permit under the provisions of this chapter shall take place between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. (or as required within the land use permit), unless the director finds that such operation is not likely to cause significant public nuisance or must, by necessity, be accomp...
Barking Dogs
A dog that emits excessive noise, loud, frequent barking that denies two or more neighboring households the comfortable enjoyment of their homes, is a public nuisance under County Code Sec. 7-37. Owners face civil penalties up to $2,000 or criminal fines through the district attorney and the Animal Services Division.
Santa Barbara County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 7-37
It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to keep, maintain or permit any dog under his or her charge, care, custody or control to emit excessive noise. For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term "excessive noise" shall mean the utterance of barks, cries or sounds which are loud, frequent and continued over a period of time so as to deprive persons residing in two ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
County Code Sec. 40-2 prohibits loud, unreasonable amplified music broadcast outdoors at night in the unincorporated county. Loud and unreasonable sound is defined as clearly discernible 100 feet from the property line or exceeding 60 decibels at the property line. Isla Vista has added festival restrictions.
Santa Barbara County Amplified Music Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 40-2 (Noises prohibited)
No loud or unreasonable noise or music can be broadcast outside of any residence or building by musical instruments, drums, speakers, radios, or any other device that reproduces or broadcasts sounds.
Vehicle Noise
Driving a motor vehicle on unimproved land in unincorporated Santa Barbara County without the landowner's permission is banned outright under County Code Sec. 24-29, a rule the board of supervisors adopted specifically to stop the dust and excessive exhaust noise dirt bikes, dune buggies, and off-roaders generate next to homes. Penalties escalate to a misdemeanor on a third offense.
Santa Barbara County Off-Road Vehicle Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 24-28, 24-29, 24-30
Many persons drive motor vehicles of many kinds, including passenger cars, vans, trucks, dune buggies, motorcycles and off-road vehicles onto such unimproved lands and operate such motor vehicles on such lands so as to create substantial nuisances to nearby residents including, but not limited to large amounts of dust and excessive exhaust noise. ... It is unlawful for any person willfully to d...
Noise Ordinances by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Santa Barbara County ordinances
See every category we cover for Santa Barbara County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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