Amplified music rules in Chino, CA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Amplified music is regulated under two parallel layers in Chino: CMC § 9.40.040 (general exterior noise standards) caps any amplified sound at 55/50 dBA L50 day/night at the neighbor's property line, and CMC Chapter 9.36 — substantially rewritten by Ordinance No. 2019-005 — imposes flat administrative fines on hosts of 'loud or unruly gatherings' without any decibel proof, on a per-response escalating schedule.
CMC § 9.40.040 sets enforceable decibel limits for any noise (including loudspeakers, DJs, live bands, and car stereos) measured at the receiving residential property line: 75 dBA Lmax daytime / 70 dBA Lmax nighttime. Independently, CMC Chapter 9.36 (Loud or Unruly Gatherings), as amended by Ord. 2019-005 effective 2019, makes the host of any gathering on private property responsible for maintaining it 'in a quiet and orderly fashion.' Ord. 2019-005 eliminated the prior requirement that officers physically disperse the gathering and replaced it with a flat administrative-fine schedule. Penalties are cumulative within a 72-hour period, so four police responses in a single weekend can reach $1,500 in fines. If the responsible host is a minor, the minor's parents are liable for the fines. Permitted events (parades, special events, fireworks on July 4, public-park gatherings) are exempted by CMC § 9.40 exemption provisions and by Chapter 5 (Business Licenses & Special Events).
First police response: written warning to the responsible person. Second response: $250. Third response: $500. Fourth response: $750. Fines are cumulative within 72 hours (up to $1,500 for four calls). Independent CMC § 9.40 citations and California Penal Code § 415 (disturbing the peace) charges remain available.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
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