Salinas, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Sec. 01(a) states flatly that no person shall use or cause to be used any sound amplifying device or equipment anywhere in the city, public or private property, except as allowed under subsection (b). That subsection lists five conditions that all must be met: the equipment may only produce music or human speech; it cannot be emitted near hospitals, churches, schools, courthouses, or city facilities in a way that unreasonably disrupts their normal operation; the volume cannot be unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, or disturbing under the same factors used in Sec.

m. Sec. 02 then exempts equipment used on private property where sound does not carry past the property line, equipment used under a city special event permit, ordinary radios and stereos played at conversational volume, and equipment on emergency vehicles or used by government employees for public health or safety. Sec. 03 separately bars sound-amplification equipment operated from an aircraft over the city, except for law enforcement. Sec. 04 makes a violation of this article a public nuisance the city attorney can abate, chargeable as an infraction or an administrative citation, with each hour a violation continues a separate offense.