San Diego Municipal Code §59.5.0404 limits construction equipment noise to an average 75 dBA at property line during permitted hours, and bars all construction noise on Sundays, federal holidays, and weekday hours outside 7am to 7pm.
SDMC §59.5.0404 caps construction noise at 75 dBA Leq (12-hour) at the property line of any occupied use during the 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday-Saturday allowed window. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays except for emergency repair. Equipment must be fitted with manufacturer-supplied mufflers, and the city's Noise Abatement Officer may require quieter alternatives or work-time variances for sensitive neighborhoods. Pile drivers, jackhammers, and vibratory compactors trigger heightened scrutiny. The Code applies citywide and supplements specific community plan limits and Coastal Zone permit conditions.
Construction noise violations are misdemeanors under SDMC §12.0202 with fines up to $1,000 per day and potential stop-work orders. The Development Services Department can hold building permits, and chronic violators can be referred to the City Attorney for civil injunction.
See how San Diego's construction equipment noise rules stack up against other locations.
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