Amplified music rules in Solano County, CA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Unincorporated Solano County has no standalone amplified-music ordinance. Amplified sound is enforced through Solano County Code Sec. 21-10, where non-agricultural noise above 65 dBA at the property line after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. is a per se disturbance. At permitted special events, wineries, and agritourism, the zoning code (Chapter 28, Art. III) caps outdoor amplified sound at 65 dB at the property lines.
Solano County does not regulate amplified music by a dedicated chapter. The general rule in Solano County Code Sec. 21-10 applies: it is unlawful to maliciously and willfully disturb the peace by loud or unusual noise, defined to include any non-agricultural noise exceeding 65 dBA at the property line after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. (Ord. No. 1830). Outside those hours, amplified sound that maliciously disturbs the peace remains citable under Sec. 21-10 or California Penal Code Sec. 415 (loud and unreasonable noise). For permitted commercial uses, the county zoning ordinance (Chapter 28, Article III) imposes specific limits: at special events facilities, outdoor amplified sound shall not exceed 65 dB measured at the property lines, and at agritourism uses outdoor amplified sound may only occur on sites that demonstrate through an acoustical analysis that event noise will not exceed 65 dB at the property lines. Those uses also have hours of operation, with events generally ending by 10:00 p.m. Vacation house rentals are barred from being used as event venues and may have no outdoor amplified sound. Special events in incorporated cities are permitted by those cities.
Violating Sec. 21-10 with amplified music is a misdemeanor disturbance of the peace, punishable under Sec. 1-21 by up to six months jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Exceeding the 65 dB outdoor-amplified-sound limit on a permitted special-events or agritourism site violates the zoning conditions and can trigger event-permit penalties under Sec. 10-24 ($150 first, $700 second, $2,500 third within three years). California Penal Code Sec. 415 provides additional authority.
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