San Mateo County, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Default rule
- Amplified sound banned without permit
- Campground curfew
- No sound devices 10 p.m.–8 a.m.
- Permit issuer
- Parks and Recreation Department
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor (§3.68.010)
Summary
Operating sound amplifying equipment in a San Mateo County park or recreation area is unlawful without a Parks and Recreation Department permit under Section 3.68.130(b).
Sound Amplifying Equipment. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any sound amplifying equipment as defined in section 3.68.030 in any County Park or Recreation area, or the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge. This section shall not apply to a person operating sound amplifying equipment under a permit granted by the Parks and Recreation Department, or the San Francisco Water Department, as provided in section 3.68.140.(c)Peace and Quiet. It shall be unlawful for any person within any County Park or the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge to use or operate any radio receiving set, musical instrument, machine or device for producing or reproducing sound or any device which produces noise in such a manner as to disturb the reasonable peace, quiet and comfort of persons using any County Park or Recreation area or the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge.(d)Noise, Absolute Prohibition. No person shall use or operate any of the devices mentioned in subsection (c) within the campgrounds of any County Park or Recreation area and the San Francisco Water Department area(s) between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. (Prior code § 3389; Ord. 415, 06/25/34; Ord. 976, 01/15/52; Ord. 1287, 05/06/58; Ord. 2394, 09/21/76; Ord. 2807, 10/26/82; Ord. 3252, 07/31/90)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
Section 3.68.130(b) of the County Park and Recreation Area Rules makes it unlawful to operate sound amplifying equipment, machines that amplify voice, music, or other sound, in any County park, recreation area, or the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge unless the operator holds a permit from the Parks and Recreation Department or San Francisco Water Department. Subsection (c) separately bars using radios, instruments, or other sound devices in any manner that disturbs the peace and quiet of park users, and subsection (d) imposes an absolute ban on those devices in campgrounds between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Violations & Fines
Operating sound equipment without a permit, or in campgrounds between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., is a misdemeanor under the chapter's general penalty provision, Section 3.68.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a speaker to a county park picnic?
Are quiet hours enforced in park campgrounds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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