Noise Ordinances in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
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 Quiet Hours
Significant RestrictionsSanta 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...
Construction Hours
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 Construction Hours
Some RestrictionsSanta 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...
Barking Dogs
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 Barking Dog Noise
Some RestrictionsSanta 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...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
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 Amplified Music
Some RestrictionsSanta 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
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 Aircraft Noise
Some RestrictionsSanta 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.
Vehicle Noise
Off-road vehicles operated in unincorporated Santa Cruz County must run a muffler or spark arrester that keeps exhaust noise at or below 97 dBA measured from 20 inches, under SCCC § 9.52.050. A companion offensive-noise rule bars riding after sunset or before 8:00 a.m. and caps operation at two hours a day on any single property.
Santa Cruz County Off-Road Vehicle Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsSCCC § 9.52.050(B) (prior code § 10.50.040; Ord. 1887, 1973; Ord. 4128 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4151 § 3, 1991)
It is unlawful for any person to operate an off-road vehicle on any private property within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, not including property which is subject to noise standards established by the Vehicle Code ... when the vehicle is not equipped with a muffler, silencer or other noise-suppression device, which limits exhaust noise emissions to not more than 97 dBA, when meas...
Noise Ordinances by City in Santa Cruz County
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Santa Cruz County ordinances
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