Amplified music rules in San Mateo County, 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 in unincorporated San Mateo County is regulated by County Code Chapter 4.88: it must stay within the exterior dBA limits of Section 4.88.330 and must not be unreasonably loud under the General Noise Regulation (4.88.350). There is no separate county amplified-sound permit chapter in the noise code itself.
Unincorporated San Mateo County does not have a stand-alone amplified-sound permit section within Chapter 4.88; instead, amplified music and recorded or transmitted sound are treated as ordinary noise sources. Under Section 4.88.330, sound measured at a residence, school, hospital, church or public library may not exceed the Table I limits for the applicable daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) or nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) period and cumulative duration. Independently, Section 4.88.350 prohibits any unreasonably loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that disturbs the peace, so amplified music that annoys a person of normal sensitivity can be cited even without a meter reading. The County weighs factors such as the noise level relative to background noise, proximity to sleeping or hospital facilities, the number of people affected and the time of day. Larger events on private property may separately require County planning or special-event approvals, but the underlying noise limits remain those of Chapter 4.88.
Amplified-music complaints are handled by the Sheriff and County Code Enforcement (650) 363-4825 under Chapter 4.88. Officers may direct that amplified sound be reduced or shut off when it exceeds the exterior standards or constitutes an unreasonable noise.
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