Santa Cruz, CA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Events (2026)

9.40.010 RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT AND SOUND TRUCKS. A. No person shall use or cause to be used any sound amplifying device or equipment at any place in the city, whether on public property or private property, except in accordance with subsection B. B. Sound amplifying equipment and sound trucks: 1. Shall only be used to produce music or human speech, or both; 2. Shall not be emitted near hospitals, churches, schools, courthouses or city facilities in a manner that unreasonably disrupts, obstructs, impairs or interferes with the normal use and operation of such facilities for their intended purposes; 3. Shall be operated at a volume of sound that is not be unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing or a nuisance to reasonable persons of normal sensitiveness within the range of audibility, considering the factors set forth in Section 9.36.020(B). If the noise producing source is on public property in a commercial zone (as defined by SCMC 9.36.020(C)(1)), amplified noise that can be heard 125 or more feet from the noise-producing source is presumptively unreasonably loud or disturbing as prohibited by this subsection. ... 4. Shall be operated in a manner that directs sound, to the extent feasible, toward open unoccupied space and away from residential and business uses; and 5. Shall not be used between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.