Santa Clara County, CA Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Property line limit
- 50 dBA
- Neighboring patio limit
- 45 dBA
- Neighboring window limit
- 45 dBA
- Exception
- Variance under § B11-157
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County caps air-conditioning and air-handling equipment noise at 50 dBA on a neighbor's property line and 45 dBA at a neighboring patio or window, absent a variance.
Operating or permitting the operation of any air-conditioning or air-handling equipment in a manner as to exceed any of the following sound levels without a variance: Any point on neighboring property line, five feet above grade level, no closer than three feet from any wall .....50 Center of neighboring patio, five feet above grade level, no closer than three feet from any wall .....45 Outside the neighboring living area window nearest the equipment location, not more than three feet from the window opening, but at least three feet from any other surface .....45
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
Ordinance Code § B11-154(12) sets numeric sound limits for air-conditioning and air-handling equipment: no more than 50 dBA at any point on a neighboring property line, measured five feet above grade and at least three feet from a wall; 45 dBA at the center of a neighboring patio; and 45 dBA outside the nearest neighboring living-area window. Running equipment above these levels without a variance issued under § B11-157 is a prohibited act. The rule applies only in unincorporated Santa Clara County; inside the county's 15 cities, each municipal code sets its own HVAC noise standard.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 45-50 dBA limits without a variance is a code violation the county can seek to enjoin in court; knowingly violating that injunction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and five days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover a heat pump, not just central AC?
Can I get an exception if my AC unit is loud?
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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