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

In unincorporated Tehama County, amplified and loud music is regulated under Chapter 17.77 (Noise Control), effective September 2, 2022. The ordinance lists loud music among the noise sources it addresses and makes it unlawful to willfully make or continue any excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. The county's Noise Control Program describes a typical violator as a neighbor 'playing loud music' or 'having an out-of-control party.' To establish a violation, the county uses a plainly-audible standard: noise that can be clearly heard and repeated at or beyond 500 feet from the source's property line, supported by complaints from three or more separate residences. The county's nighttime periods are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 10:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends. Separately, the Tehama County General Plan Noise Element directs that the noise standards for new uses be reduced by 5 dB for sounds consisting primarily of speech or music, reflecting the extra annoyance those sounds cause. Unauthorized special-event or paid promotional event noise can also be investigated by the Environmental Health Code Enforcement Department.