San Bernardino County, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in San Bernardino 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
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Trigger
- Plainly audible inside a neighbor's home
- Measurement required
- No: audibility alone suffices
- Repeat violation
- Misdemeanor within 180 days
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, live music and amplified sound equipment must go silent by 10 p.m. if it's plainly audible inside a neighbor's home, and can't resume until 7 a.m.
Sound Amplifying Equipment and Live Music. No person shall install, use or operate sound amplifying equipment, or perform, or allow to be performed, live music, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such that the sound amplifying equipment or live music is plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than a dwelling in which the sound source is located. Sound level measurements may be used, but are not required, to establish a violation of this Subdivision.
(c) Power Tools and Equipment. Except for emergency work, no person shall operate any power tools or equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such that the power tools or equipment are plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than a dwelling in which the power tools or equipment may be located. Sound level measurements may be used, but are not required, to establish a violation of this Subdivision.
(d) Construction Activity. Except for emergency work, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated, construction equipment between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (Ord. 4361, passed - -2019)
Full Breakdown
County Code § 24.0706(b) bars anyone from installing, using, or operating sound amplifying equipment, or performing or allowing live music, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if the sound is plainly audible inside an occupied dwelling other than the one where the source is located. Code enforcement doesn't need a decibel reading to cite a violation, audibility inside a neighboring home is enough. The rule applies countywide in unincorporated areas only; San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, and the county's other 19 incorporated cities enforce their own separate noise codes.
Violations & Fines
Infraction on first offense; a second violation within 180 days can be charged as a misdemeanor. Each day is a separate offense, and the noise is also a declared public nuisance abatable by injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a decibel meter reading to get cited?
Does this apply inside San Bernardino or Fontana?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.