5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sonoma County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Sonoma County does not use a single numeric quiet-hour ordinance; instead it enforces the Sonoma County General Plan Noise Element (adopted 2008, amended October 23, 2012) and Chapter 3, Article III - Noise Control of the Sonoma County Code, with the Sheriff and Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement responding to complaints. Under Table NE-2 of the Noise Element, non-transportation noise sources at the property line of a residential receiver may not exceed 50 dBA (L50) during daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 45 dBA (L50) during nighttime hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with higher short-duration limits of 55/60/65 dBA daytime and 50/55/60 dBA nighttime for the L25, L08, and L02 statistical percentiles.
Construction noise in unincorporated Sonoma County is regulated under the General Plan Noise Element and Sonoma County Code Chapter 3, Article III (Noise Control). Permit Sonoma's standard practice and use-permit conditions require construction, grading, demolition, and exterior remodeling activity to occur between 7:00 a.m. and sunset (and not later than 7:00 p.m.) Monday through Saturday, with no construction permitted on Sundays or federal holidays except for owner-occupied minor repairs or declared emergencies. The 50 dBA daytime / 45 dBA nighttime Noise Element limits exempt construction noise during permitted hours but apply outside those hours.
Barking dogs and other persistent animal noise are governed by Sonoma County Code Chapter 5 (Animal Regulation Ordinance), Article X, Section 5-126 - Public Nuisances Prohibited. The ordinance prohibits any owner from permitting an animal to obstruct the reasonable and comfortable use of property by chasing vehicles, molesting passersby, barking, howling, or making other noise. Enforcement is handled by Sonoma County Animal Services (707-565-7100); the process requires written complaints from at least two households (or one household within 300 feet of the source) before an abatement order can issue.
Unincorporated Sonoma County does not have a stand-alone leaf-blower ordinance; gas-powered and electric leaf blowers are regulated only through the General Plan Noise Element 50 dBA daytime / 45 dBA nighttime property-line limits and Chapter 3, Article III (Noise Control). However, the City of Sonoma (within the County) has had one of California's earliest gas-leaf-blower bans since December 22, 2016 (Measure V), prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers entirely and allowing electric leaf blowers only Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Statewide, California AB 1346 phases out new sales of gas-powered small off-road engines (including leaf blowers) starting January 1, 2024.
California AB 1346 (2021-2022)
(1) Small off-road engines (SORE), which are used primarily in lawn and garden equipment, emit high levels of air pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and particulate matter (PM). NOx and ROG together contribute to formation of ozone, a criteria pollutant with a national ambient air quality standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agenc...
Outdoor amplified music in unincorporated Sonoma County is one of the most heavily regulated activities in the County because of long-standing conflicts between wineries, event centers, and surrounding rural-residential neighbors. The Winery Events Ordinance amendments adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 9, 2025 (taking effect June 9, 2026) impose a 1,600-foot setback from adjacent property for outdoor amplified music, a 625-foot setback for acoustic music, and a 450-foot setback for event parking, on top of the General Plan Noise Element 50 dBA daytime / 45 dBA nighttime property-line limits. Periodic special events are capped at 2,500 attendees. Non-winery amplified music is governed by Chapter 3, Article III (Noise Control) and use-permit conditions.
2 cities in Sonoma County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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