Amplified music rules in San Francisco, CA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
San Francisco Police Code Article 29 governs amplified music, setting fixed decibel limits at property lines and requiring Entertainment Commission permits for commercial venues. Residential amplified sound audible 50 feet from the property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is presumed a violation.
Amplified music in San Francisco is regulated by the Noise Ordinance (Police Code Article 29) and, for commercial venues, by the SF Entertainment Commission. Residential ambient noise limits are 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night at the property line. Police Code Section 2909 makes any noise that exceeds ambient by 5 dBA a violation, and the commonly-used plain-audibility standard makes amplified sound audible from 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. presumptively a violation. Commercial venues with Place of Entertainment permits must comply with sound-limiter conditions set by the Entertainment Commission and may be required to install sound monitoring. Outdoor events and block parties require a Street Closure permit from SFMTA and an amplified-sound permit from the Entertainment Commission. Residential parties without permits face fines starting around $500 for repeat violations. The SFPD and Entertainment Commission inspectors both respond to complaints, with warning-first enforcement typical for first-time residential complaints.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact San Francisco code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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