Arcadia, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Arcadia Municipal Code § 4620.1 makes it a violation of Chapter 6 to use loudspeakers or sound amplifying equipment in the City where the sound exceeds the limits set in § 4610.3 at any property line, or, if a condominium unit, within any condominium unit within the complex. Those limits are 55 dBA by day and 50 dBA at night in a Residential Zone, 65 and 60 dBA in a Commercial Zone, and 70 dBA in an Industrial Zone, with the quieter zone's number applying at a zone boundary.

"Sound Amplifying Equipment" is defined in § 4610.1(l) as any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. The definition excludes warning devices and emergency vehicles, and horns, burglar and fire alarms and other warning devices expressly authorized by law. Day means 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Night means 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., § 4620 separately treats any radio, musical instrument, television or other sound-reproducing device as a violation once it exceeds the limit by more than five decibels.

Section 4620.2 exempts lawfully conducted parades, bells, chimes or carillons used with religious or patriotic services, systems used to warn the community of attack or imminent public danger, and all authorized school activities on school or public property.

Arcadia County Park has stricter, equipment-specific rules in § 4510.1. Except within a fully enclosed building, no one but a peace officer on duty can operate a sound amplification system that produces a sound pressure level beyond a two hundred foot radius from the speakers more than ten decibels above the sound levels prevailing there, measured on the A-scale. No speaker can sit more than ten feet from any other speaker, none can be aimed at residences adjacent to the park, and no system can use an audio amplifier capable of exceeding one hundred watts.

Anyone using a public address system in the park, other than in a permanent building, has to file a registration statement with the Chief of Police at least forty-eight hours beforehand. It must name the owner and operator, state the maximum sound-producing power, promise compliance, and give the place and time of use. The Chief of Police returns an approved copy that has to be shown to a peace officer on request. A system used in violation is a public nuisance and is confiscated and disposed of in accordance with law.