Los Angeles, CA

LA's noise rules are zone-based with quiet hours from 9 PM to 7 AM in residential areas. During those hours, any amplified sound that can be heard 150 feet from the source is a violation — no decibel meter needed. Daytime enforcement is mostly complaint-driven and less aggressive. The LAPD handles noise complaints but the city also has an Environmental Affairs department that deals with persistent issues. LA's biggest enforcement challenge is its sheer size — response times for noise complaints average 45 minutes to over 2 hours depending on the division.

LA caps front yard fences at 3.5 feet and side/rear fences at 6 feet in residential zones. If your property sits on a corner lot, the rules get more complicated because of sight-line requirements — you may be limited to 3 feet within a triangular area near the intersection. Permits are required for any fence over 6 feet or for block/masonry walls over 3.5 feet in front yards. The city doesn't regulate fence materials as strictly as some places, but chain link in front yards is prohibited in many specific plan areas. HOAs in LA often have their own rules on top of city code.