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

Section 8.16.080 of the Napa County Code expressly prohibits using or operating any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, or similar device when the sound creates a noise disturbance or violates the interior (§8.16.060) or exterior (§8.16.070) noise limits, unless a variance has been issued by the Noise Control Officer. In setting limits, the County applies a 5 dB downward adjustment to the exterior standard for any offensive noise containing music or speech, reflecting the heightened impact of tonal/lyrical content. For Napa Valley wineries (governed additionally by the Winery Definition Ordinance and Use Permit Conditions of Approval administered by Planning, Building, and Environmental Services), there is no automatic right to outdoor amplified music. Use permits routinely include a condition stating that there shall be no amplified sound system or amplified music utilized outside of approved events, and the Planning Commission has repeatedly declined or limited winery requests for outdoor amplified entertainment. When approved, conditions typically require outdoor amplified sound to cease by a specific evening hour and remain below the property-line standard. Variances under §8.16.080 require application through the Noise Control Officer.