Santa Cruz County, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 13.15.040(A) of the County Code provides a specific construction exemption from the noise chapter: 'Noise sources normally and reasonably associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property, provided a permit has been obtained from the County as required, and provided said activities take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays unless the Building Official has in advance authorized said activities to start at 7:00 a.m. and/or continue no later than 7:00 p.m. Such activities shall not take place on Saturdays unless the Building Official has in advance authorized said activities, and provided said activities take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and no more than three Saturdays per month. Such activities shall not take place on Sunday or a federal holiday unless the Building Official has in advance authorized such work on a Sunday or federal holiday.' Minor maintenance/repairs to residential property are separately exempt 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. under § 13.15.040(E). Right-of-way work to clear traffic or safety hazards is exempt at any time under (F), as is utility/public-agency emergency work under (G). General Plan Policy 9.2.6 also calls for mitigation when construction noise would exceed 75 dB at neighboring sensitive uses or last more than 7 days.