SJMC Title 20.100 limits construction equipment noise at residential property lines to 75 dBA daytime, with work permitted only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. Pile drivers, jackhammers, and impact tools require additional mitigation under California Building Code chapters.
San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 20.100 sets a 75 dBA limit at residential property lines for construction equipment during permitted hours. Construction is allowed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; nighttime construction requires a special after-hours permit from Building. High-impact equipment such as pile drivers, jackhammers, and concrete saws must use mufflers, shrouds, or temporary barriers. CEQA review for larger projects often imposes additional construction noise mitigation in the Mitigation Monitoring Program. The Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement responds to complaints; SJPD handles emergency after-hours violations through the non-emergency line.
Operating construction equipment outside permitted hours or above 75 dBA at residential property lines is a misdemeanor under SJMC 20.100 with administrative citations escalating from $250 to $1,000 per occurrence. Stop-work orders and permit suspension follow for repeat violators.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Jose, CA
San Jose Municipal Code Title 7 (Animal Care and Control) requires dogs in public places, city parks, and trails to be on a leash no longer than six feet, re...
San Jose, CA
San Jose imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (SJMC Ch...
San Jose, CA
San Jose has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, height, and motor noise are not restricted by the munic...
San Jose, CA
San Jose has no ordinance limiting the duration, brightness, or hours of residential holiday lighting. The general nuisance provisions in SJMC Title 6 and th...
San Jose, CA
A built-in outdoor kitchen in San Jose typically requires multiple permits: a building permit for any structural roof or counter exceeding the patio cover ex...
San Jose, CA
San Jose does not have a dedicated ordinance for backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Use is governed by the multifamily balcony restriction...
See how San Jose's construction equipment noise rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.