San Bernardino County, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 24.0706(b)
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Standard
- Plainly audible inside occupied dwelling
- Proof
- No decibel meter required
- First offense
- Infraction
- Repeat within 180 days
- Misdemeanor
- Permit exemption
- Licensed events under § 24.0707(h)
Summary
San Bernardino County Code § 24.0706(b) bars sound amplifying equipment or live music from being plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., a standard that reaches bars, nightclubs and any venue running amplified sound or bands near homes. The County can cite a violation without a decibel meter reading.
(b) Sound Amplifying Equipment and Live Music. No person shall install, use or operate sound amplifying equipment, or perform, or allow to be performed, live music, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., such that the sound amplifying equipment or live music is plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than a dwelling in which the sound source is located. Sound level measurements may be used, but are not required, to establish a violation of this Subdivision.
Full Breakdown
§ 24.0706 layers extra 'special sound source' restrictions on top of the County's general noise limits, on the theory that the late evening and early morning hours deserve extra quiet. Subdivision (b), Sound Amplifying Equipment and Live Music, makes it unlawful to install, use or operate sound amplifying equipment, or to perform or allow live music, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., if the sound is plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than the one where the source sits. The County does not need a sound level meter to prove a violation; audibility inside a neighboring home is enough.
A bar or nightclub running a DJ, PA system or a live band past 10 p.m. within earshot of housing is squarely covered. Failure to comply is treated as a separate, per se violation of the chapter's general disturbing-noise standard in § 24.0705, which normally requires declarations from two neighboring residents within 200 yards, made under penalty of perjury within 60 days of a complaint; § 24.0706 dispenses with that requirement for its listed special sources and instead deems them disturbing per se once the plain-audibility test is met. § 24.0707 carves out exemptions, including for outdoor gatherings, shows and entertainment events run under a permit or license with acoustic conditions of approval, so a permitted concert or festival is not automatically caught by subdivision (b) even if the venue also serves alcohol. § 24.0710 makes a first violation chargeable as an infraction, and a second violation of the chapter within 180 days chargeable as a misdemeanor, with each day of continuing noise a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A first § 24.0706 violation is an infraction; a person cited more than once within 180 days can be charged with a misdemeanor under § 24.0710(a). Each day amplified sound or live music is plainly audible inside a neighboring home past 10 p.m. counts as a separate offense, and the County can pursue criminal, civil or administrative citation action, including nuisance abatement, under § 24.0710(b)-(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county need to measure decibels to cite a noisy bar?
Is a licensed outdoor concert exempt from the 10 p.m. cutoff?
What's the penalty if a venue keeps getting cited for loud music?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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