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

Amplified sound in unincorporated Riverside County is regulated as a 'special sound source' under Section 6(d) of Ordinance No. 847. 'Sound amplifying equipment' is defined as a loudspeaker, microphone, megaphone or similar device. The ordinance sets two clear rules: first, sound amplifying equipment or live music is prohibited outright between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.; second, at any other time, sound from the amplifying equipment or live music must not be audible to the human ear at a distance greater than two hundred (200) feet from the equipment or music. These special-source rules apply on top of the general property-line dBA standards in Table 1 (for example, 55 dBA day / 45 dBA night for most residential designations), and a failure to comply with the special standard is a separate violation. Importantly, where these requirements conflict with conditions of approval attached to an underlying land use permit, Section 6(d) states that the ordinance requirements control. Operators who need to exceed these standards, such as for an event or venue, can apply for a single-event or continuous-events exception through the Planning Director under Section 7; continuous-events exceptions require a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Government, school and certain agricultural activities are exempt under Section 2.