Santa Clara County, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted hours
- 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Applies near
- residential property line
- Daytime cap
- Table B11-152 limit
- Scope
- unincorporated area only
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County bans loud loading, unloading, and container handling near homes between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and at any time if it breaches the Table B11-152 decibel limit.
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day in a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property line or at any time to violate the provisions of Section B11-152.(6)Construction/demolition.a.Operating or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition work between weekdays and Saturday hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time on Sundays or holidays, that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by variance. This section will not apply to the use of domestic power tools as specified in Subsection 11.b.Where technically and economically feasible, construction activities will be conducted in a manner that the maximum noise levels at affected properties will not exceed those listed in the following schedule: _____
i.Mobile equipment. Maximum noise levels for nonscheduled, intermittent, short-term operation (less than ten days) of mobile equipment: Single- and Two-Family Dwelling Residential Area Multifamily Dwelling Residential Area Commercial Area Daily, except Sundays and legal holidays 7:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m. 75 dBA 80 dBA 85 dBA
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Section B11-154(5) prohibits loading, unloading, opening, closing, or handling boxes, crates, containers, building materials, or garbage cans between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a way that creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line, and bars it at any hour if it breaches the Table B11-152 exterior noise limit. This covers early-morning and late-night delivery-truck unloading at homes and adjacent businesses in the unincorporated area; it does not separately regulate truck engine or backup-alarm noise, which falls under the general noise-disturbance and motor-vehicle provisions instead.
Violations & Fines
Unloading deliveries loudly enough to disturb a residential property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., or exceeding Table B11-152 limits at any hour, is a prima facie violation under Section B11-158, enforceable by injunction or misdemeanor prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a grocery store get deliveries at 5 a.m.?
Does this cover a delivery truck idling on the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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