Mariposa County, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Events (2026)

Because the entire county is unincorporated and Mariposa County has not adopted a general noise ordinance, there is no fixed decibel limit or universal nighttime cutoff for amplified music at residences. The most specific county tool is event-based. General Plan Implementation Measure 15-2b(3) provides that 'the County shall require appropriate noise reduction measures for outdoor public events,' and lists measures that may include 'restrictions on the level of amplification of sound systems' and 'conditions on the start, finish, and duration of the event,' along with participant limits and temporary noise barriers. These conditions are imposed through the planning and permitting process, administered by the Mariposa County Planning and Health Departments, rather than by a standing decibel ordinance. The General Plan recognizes that 'significant sources of noise are sometimes emitted from outdoor special event activities.' For amplified music that is not tied to a permitted event, the operative rule is California Penal Code Section 415, which makes it a crime to maliciously and willfully disturb another person by loud and unreasonable noise. Anyone hosting amplified music at a residence, vacation rental, winery or event in communities like Mariposa, Coulterville or Wawona should keep amplification reasonable and comply with any event-permit conditions on sound levels and end times.