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

Stanislaus County addresses amplified sound through Section 10.46.060(D) of its Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 10.46). The provision states that no person shall install, use, or operate sound-amplifying equipment, or perform or allow to be performed live music, unless the sound emanating from the equipment or live music is not audible to the human ear at a distance greater than 200 feet. Where this requirement conflicts with conditions of approval on an underlying land use permit, the 200-foot standard controls. Amplified music is doubly regulated: in addition to the 200-foot audibility test, Section 10.46.050 reduces the general exterior noise limits in Table A by 5 dB(A) for noise consisting primarily of speech or music. A separate provision (Section 10.46.060(C)) restricts portable and other audio equipment, which may not be audible inside a neighbor's dwelling between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or more than 50 feet away at other times. Special events with a county permit are exempt if they comply with all permit conditions (Section 10.46.080). Enforcement is by the Sheriff's Department (Section 10.46.100), with violations treated as infractions and public nuisances.