Noise Ordinances in Tulare County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Tulare County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Tulare County has no single bright-line nighttime curfew. Instead, the Social Host Ordinance (Ordinance Code Section 5-01-1215(b)) caps amplified and excessive noise at 65 decibels at the property boundary, and the Public Nuisance Ordinance (Section 4-01-1070) bars noise offensive to the senses that disturbs a neighborhood.
Tulare County Quiet Hours (No Fixed Curfew - 65 dB Boundary Limit + Nuisance Standard)
Significant RestrictionsTulare County Ordinance Code § 5-01-1215(b)
Sound levels from Amplified Sound Devices and Excessive Noise Sources are prohibited from exceeding sixty-five (65) decibels, as measured at the boundary of the property on which the source of the noise or sound is located.
Construction Hours
Unincorporated Tulare County does not have an ordinance setting specific permitted construction hours. Construction noise is governed by the general 65 dB boundary limit (Ordinance Code 5-01-1215(b)), the Public Nuisance Ordinance (4-01-1070), and General Plan Noise Element planning standards rather than a fixed start/stop time.
Tulare County Construction Hours - No Specific County Time Ordinance
Light RestrictionsTulare County Ordinance Code § 5-01-1210(k)
'Excessive Noise Sources' include, but are not limited to, non-amplified sounds arising from parties, such as shouting, group chanting, acoustic musical instruments. Additionally, the frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds from starting, operating, repairing, rebuilding, or testing of motor vehicles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, or other off-highway vehicles, or any internal combustion engines,...
Barking Dogs
Unincorporated Tulare County prohibits animal noise as a public nuisance. Ordinance Code Section 4-07-3300 bars owners from permitting an animal to disturb a neighborhood by barking, howling, or other noise, and the definition in Section 4-07-1400 treats chronic loud noise over 15 minutes per incident as an Animal Nuisance.
Tulare County Barking Dog / Animal Noise Rule (Ordinance Code 4-07-3300 + 4-07-1400)
Heavy RestrictionsTulare County Ordinance Code § 4-07-3300(A)(1)
No owner of any animal shall do any of the following: 1. Permit such animal to obstruct the reasonable and comfortable use of property in any neighborhood or community by chasing vehicles, molesting passersby, barking, howling or making other noise.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Unincorporated Tulare County's Social Host Ordinance (Ordinance Code 5-01-1215(b)) prohibits sound from amplified sound devices from exceeding 65 decibels at the property boundary. 'Amplified sound device' is defined broadly in Section 5-01-1210(j) to include loudspeakers, PA systems, car audio, radios, and players.
Tulare County Amplified Music / Sound Devices (65 dB Boundary Limit - Ordinance Code 5-01-1215(b))
Heavy RestrictionsTulare County Ordinance Code § 5-01-1210(j)
'Amplified Sound Device' refers to a device whose volume is increased by any electric, electronic, mechanical, or motor-powered means, including, but not limited to, loudspeakers, public address systems, car audio systems, radios, record players, tape players, disc players, MP3 players, iPods, phones, television sets.
Aircraft Noise
Unincorporated Tulare County does not regulate aircraft noise. The County General Plan Noise Element states that aircraft operations are preempted by federal and state regulation and 'generally may not be addressed by a local noise control ordinance.' Aircraft noise is handled by the FAA and through airport land-use planning.
Tulare County Aircraft Noise - Federally & State Preempted (No Local Ordinance)
Few RestrictionsTulare County General Plan, Noise Element (2012)
Noise from traffic on public roadways, railroad operations and aircraft operations is preempted by existing federal and/or state regulations. No noise-sensitive land uses which require approval under the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance or the Tulare County Subdivision Ordinance shall be permitted within the 60 CNEL contour of the public use airports identified in the Plan.
Vehicle Noise
Engine, motorcycle, and dirt bike noise are 'excessive noise sources' capped at 65 dB at the property boundary under Ordinance Code 5-01-1215(b). Off-road vehicle use near homes is restricted by Ordinance Code 4-23-1000. On public roads, California Vehicle Code Sections 27150-27151 (mufflers) control.
Tulare County Vehicle & Off-Road Noise (Engine Noise 65 dB Cap + CA Vehicle Code Muffler Law)
Some RestrictionsTulare County Ordinance Code § 4-23-1005(f)-(g)
'Within one-half mile of' shall mean the distance measured from that part of a school, hospital, convalescent home, park or residential area closest to the point of operation of a motorcycle, motor bike or all-terrain vehicle. 'Residential area' shall mean any area one-quarter mile in depth abutting a public or private road, and one-quarter mile in length measured along such road, which contain...
Noise Ordinances by City in Tulare County
1 cities in Tulare County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Tulare County ordinances
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