10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sutter County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Sutter County has not adopted a general noise ordinance, so there are no fixed countywide "quiet hours" with set decibel limits. Loud, disturbing noise is instead handled as disturbing the peace under California Penal Code 415, enforced by the Sheriff.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-050
1500-21.5-050 Exterior Noise Standards. The noise standards shown in Table 1500-21.5-1, unless otherwise specified in this Article, shall apply to all noise sensitive exterior areas within Sutter County. Table 1500-21.5-1: EXTERIOR NOISE STANDARDS -- Hourly Leq, dBA: Daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) 55, Nightime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) 45; Maximum Level, dBA: Daytime 70, Nightime 65. A. Exte...
Unincorporated Sutter County does not regulate construction noise hours by ordinance. A noise study prepared for the CPUC states the county has not adopted a noise ordinance and that construction-activity noise is not addressed at the county level.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-070(B)
B. Construction. Noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, demolition, paving or grading of any real property or public works project located within 1,000 feet of noise-sensitive uses (i.e., residential uses, daycares, schools, convalescent homes, and medical care facilities), provided such activities take place between: 1. 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays 2. 8:00 a.m. t...
Sutter County treats a dog that barks or howls so continuously as to unreasonably disturb the neighborhood as a nuisance animal. Complaints are handled by Sutter Animal Services Authority (SASA) through a documented multi-step process requiring logs and corroboration.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-060(A)
A. Animals and Birds. It is unlawful for any person to possess or harbor any animal or bird that howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes other noises continuously and/or incessantly for an unreasonable period of time so as to create a noise disturbance across a real property line.
Unincorporated Sutter County has no ordinance restricting leaf blowers or other yard equipment by hour or decibel level. A CPUC noise study confirms the county has not adopted a noise ordinance, so leaf-blower noise is governed only by general state nuisance and disturbing-the-peace law.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-070(E)
E. Maintenance of Residential Property. Noise sources associated with maintenance of residential property, provided such activities take place between 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
Sutter County's only direct amplified-sound rule is Chapter 200 (Sound Trucks), which regulates sound-amplifying equipment on vehicles in the unincorporated area. There is no general amplified-music ordinance for parties or venues, which fall under state disturbing-the-peace law.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-060(B)
B. Audio Equipment. It is unlawful for any person to use or operate audio equipment on private property where said equipment is unreasonably audible beyond the property line. In addition, no person shall operate audio equipment in a vehicle on or within any public street, public park, public parking lot or other public place which is audible to a person of normal hearing sensitivity more than 5...
Aircraft operations are regulated by the FAA, not by a Sutter County noise ordinance. The county manages aircraft-noise exposure through land-use compatibility planning around the Sutter County Airport, generally using the 60 dB CNEL contour to limit new noise-sensitive development.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-070(H)
1500-21.5-070 Exceptions to Noise Standards. The following activities shall be exempted from the provisions of this Article: ... H. State and Federal Preemption. Any activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by state or federal law.
Unincorporated Sutter County has no stationary-source or industrial-noise ordinance with decibel limits. Industrial noise is managed through General Plan noise-compatibility review and project conditions during permitting, not by an enforceable countywide dBA standard.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-070(A)
A. Agricultural Activities. Noise sources associated with agricultural activities in zones permitting agricultural uses, which are carried out in any manner consistent with the practice and within the standards of the agricultural industry. This includes without limitation all mechanical devices, apparatus or equipment utilized for the protection or salvage of agricultural crops during periods ...
Unincorporated Sutter County has no enforceable numeric decibel-limit ordinance. A CPUC noise study confirms the county has not adopted a noise ordinance. The General Plan noise element uses land-use compatibility guidelines (around 60 dB Ldn/CNEL) for new development, not as a citation standard.
Unincorporated Sutter County has no specific outdoor-music or live-event noise ordinance and no general noise ordinance. Outdoor music at events or homes is governed by California disturbing-the-peace law, with amplified sound from sound trucks regulated under county Chapter 200.
Unincorporated Sutter County has no local vehicle-noise ordinance. Vehicle noise, modified exhaust, and loud sound systems are governed by the California Vehicle Code statewide and enforced by the Sheriff and CHP; the county also limits amplified sound on sound trucks under Chapter 200.
Sutter County Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Ch. 1500), Sec. 1500-21.5-060(B)
In addition, no person shall operate audio equipment in a vehicle on or within any public street, public park, public parking lot or other public place which is audible to a person of normal hearing sensitivity more than 50 feet from such vehicle.
1 cities in Sutter County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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