Apple Valley, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Apple Valley, CA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Weekday hours barred
- 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Weekend/holiday work
- Barred entirely if disruptive
- Daytime mobile equipment limit
- 75-85 dBA by zone type
- Enforcing officer
- Noise Control Officer
- Max misdemeanor fine
- $1,000 plus 6 months jail
- Exception term
- 365 days, renewable
Summary
Apple Valley bars construction and demolition noise that disturbs neighbors on weekday nights and at any time on weekends or legal holidays, and it caps decibel levels for equipment operating during allowed daytime hours near residential property.
F.Construction/Demolition 1.Operating or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration, or demolition work between weekday hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., or at any time on weekends or holidays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by variance issued by the Town.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code § 9.73.060(F) prohibits operating construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition tools or equipment between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, or at any time on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays, if the sound crosses a residential or commercial property line and creates a noise disturbance. The only exceptions are emergency work performed by public service utilities or a variance issued by the Town.
Even during the permitted daytime window, § 9.73.060(F)(2) sets maximum decibel levels under Table 9.73.060-A. For nonscheduled, short-term mobile equipment (under 10 days) at single-family residential (Type I) properties, the limit is 75 dBA from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays, dropping to 60 dBA in the evening/Sunday/holiday window; multi-family (Type II) limits are 80/65 dBA, and semi-residential/commercial (Type III) limits are 85/70 dBA. Stationary equipment running 10 or more days is held to tighter limits: 60/50 dBA (Type I), 65/55 dBA (Type II) and 70/60 dBA (Type III). All internal-combustion powered equipment must carry suitable exhaust and air-intake silencers under § 9.73.060(F)(3).
The Noise Control Officer (NCO), designated by the Director of Community Development under § 9.73.030, administers and enforces this chapter and can require sound analyses or mitigation on projects likely to violate it. A contractor who needs relief from these limits can apply to the NCO for an exception under § 9.73.090, which requires a fee, notice, and expires after 365 days unless renewed.
Violations & Fines
A construction-hours violation is a misdemeanor under § 1.01.200, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in County jail, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Town Attorney or a citing officer may instead issue it as an infraction, or the Code Enforcement Division may issue an administrative citation: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can contractors work in Apple Valley on Saturdays?
What decibel limit applies to a jackhammer next to my house during the day?
Who do I call about early or late construction noise?
Can a contractor get permission to work outside these hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apple Valley
How Apple Valley compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·California rules heatmap·Compare Apple Valley to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Construction Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle construction hours.