11 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County (Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Davenport, La Selva Beach), County Code Chapter 8.30 prohibits 'offensive noise.' Night hours run 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., when a stricter standard applies; daytime is 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The County, not the cities, enforces this in unincorporated areas.
Santa Cruz County Code § 8.30.010(C)(1)(b) (Ord. 5255 § 1, 2017)
Night Hours. For purposes of this factor, a noise shall be automatically considered offensive if it occurs between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and it is: (i) Made within 100 feet of any building or place regularly used for sleeping purposes; or (ii) Clearly discernible at a distance of 100 feet from the property line of the property from which it is broadcast; or (iii) In excess of 60...
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County allows permitted construction noise only 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays under County Code 13.15.040, extendable to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. only with prior Building Official approval. Saturday work needs advance authorization (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., up to three Saturdays a month). No work on Sundays or federal holidays.
Santa Cruz County Code § 13.15.040(A) (Ord. 5308 § 1, 2019)
Noise sources normally and reasonably associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property, provided a permit has been obtained ... shall take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays unless the Building Official has in advance authorized said activities to start at 7:00 a.m. and/or continue no later than 7:00 p.m. Such activities shall not tak...
Persistent barking dogs in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are handled as 'offensive noise' under County Code Chapter 8.30. The County General Plan specifically lists 'loud birds and animals' among the nuisance noises the Sheriff enforces under the Noise Ordinance. Day and night decibel/distance thresholds apply just as for other noise sources.
Santa Cruz County Code § 6.12.090 (Ord. 5388 § 4, 2022)
Prohibition. It is unlawful for an owner of an animal to allow the animal to emit any excessive noise after the Department has issued a written notice of an excessive noise complaint. ... 'excessive noise' means a noise that is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, or offensive to a person with ordinary sensibilities, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or prope...
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County has no dedicated leaf-blower ban or time-of-use ordinance. Leaf blowers, mowers, and similar portable power equipment fall under the general 'offensive noise' standard of County Code Chapter 8.30. The County General Plan notes such equipment 'frequently create noise during daylight hours' and can temporarily produce very high noise levels.
Amplified music in unincorporated Santa Cruz County is regulated as 'offensive noise' under County Code Chapter 8.30, with stricter night thresholds after 10:00 p.m. County Code 13.15.040 exempts reasonable noncommercial gatherings and community events only when held 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and in compliance with Chapter 8.30; larger events need a special event or amplified-sound permit.
Santa Cruz County Code § 13.15.040(C) (Ord. 5308 § 1, 2019)
Entertainment or Special Events. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to those reasonable sounds emanating from authorized school bands, school athletic and school entertainment events, and occasional noncommercial private outdoor or indoor gatherings and community events, conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or the applicable permitted timeframe, in compliance with...
Aircraft noise is governed by the FAA, not Santa Cruz County; flight paths are set federally. No commercial airport lies within the unincorporated county, and the sole general-aviation field, Watsonville Municipal Airport, is in the City of Watsonville. The County addresses aircraft noise only through land-use compatibility planning around the 60-65 CNEL contours.
Santa Cruz County General Plan, Chapter 9 (Noise Element) (Resolution 197-2019); Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 21669
The state standard for residential uses is 65 dB CNEL. ... Noise levels from aircraft of all other airports located outside the County of Santa Cruz are below the State 65 dB CNEL standard.
New commercial and industrial development in unincorporated Santa Cruz County must meet General Plan Table 9-3 stationary-source limits (50 dB Leq / 70 dB max by day; 45 dB Leq / 65 dB max at night) at the receiving property line. Quarry and mining noise is capped at 60 dB for 15 minutes per hour under Chapter 16.54.
Santa Cruz County uses two decibel frameworks. County Code Chapter 8.30 makes noise automatically offensive above 75 dB at the property line by day (8 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 60 dB at night (10 p.m.-8 a.m.). For stationary sources, General Plan Table 9-3 caps daytime at 50 dB Leq / 70 dB max and nighttime at 45 dB Leq / 65 dB max.
Outdoor music at events in unincorporated Santa Cruz County is allowed under County Code 13.15.040(C) for reasonable noncommercial gatherings and community events only when held 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and within Chapter 8.30 offensive-noise limits. Larger events require permits, and decision-makers may cap noise level, hours, duration, and location.
On public roads, vehicle noise in Santa Cruz County is controlled by California state law (Vehicle Code muffler and noise-limit rules), which preempts local ordinances. Off-road and property-based vehicle activity such as 'vehicle repair and testing' and powered motor vehicles is addressed by County Code Chapter 8.30 offensive-noise rules.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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