Aliso Viejo, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

The Aliso Viejo City Council, which legislates for the city in Orange County, California, controls noise through Chapter 8.12 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code. Section 8.12.070 lists the activities exempt from that chapter, and subsection (E) covers noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property. The exemption carries a condition: the activities must not take place between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or a federal holiday.

Work that stays outside those windows is exempt from the decibel limits. Work inside them loses the exemption, so the exterior standards in § 8.12.050 apply to its noise. For residential property at a density of less than 10 DU/acre, those standards are 50 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 45 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. At 10 DU/acre or more they are 55 dB(A) and 50 dB(A) over the same two periods. Section 8.12.030 defines grading as any excavating or filling of earth material, or any combination thereof, conducted at a site to prepare the site for construction or other improvements, so earthmoving falls under the same hour windows as building work.

Emergency machinery, vehicle or work is exempt separately under § 8.12.070(D), and activities on the grounds of a school or college are exempt under § 8.12.070(A). Under § 8.12.090 the chief of police services, or designee, enforces the chapter, and no person may interfere with, oppose, or resist an authorized enforcement officer.