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

The county's noise ordinance singles out music for stricter treatment. Where the general exterior residential limit is 55 dB(A) during the day and 50 dB(A) at night, the ordinance states that if 'the alleged offensive noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, music, or any combination thereof, each of the above noise levels shall be reduced by five (5) dB(A).' So amplified music is effectively held to about 50 dB(A) daytime and 45 dB(A) overnight at a neighboring residential property, and the interior standard (55 dB(A) day / 45 dB(A) night) is likewise reduced 5 dB(A) for music. The ordinance also caps shorter, louder bursts: the standard plus 20 dB(A) is not allowed for any period of time. It is 'unlawful for any person at any location within the unincorporated area of the County to create any noise' that exceeds these standards at another residential property. Beyond the decibel rules, Del Norte County Code Chapter 7.08 (Nuisance) lets the county abate sound that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property. These rules apply in unincorporated communities; Crescent City regulates amplified music within the city.