Stanislaus County, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Stanislaus County, CA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Decibel limit
- 75 dB average at dwelling property line
- Restricted hours
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Governing section
- Stanislaus County Code § 10.46.060(E)
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Stanislaus County only
- Waiver available
- Yes, via § 10.46.090 application
Summary
In unincorporated Stanislaus County, construction equipment cannot exceed a 75 decibel average sound level at the property line of any dwelling between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The limit applies on top of the general chapter-wide noise standards, and enforcement runs through the county's noise control ordinance.
Construction Equipment. No person shall operate any construction equipment so as to cause at or beyond the property line of any property upon which a dwelling unit is located an average sound level greater than seventy-five decibels between the hours of seven p.m. and seven a.m.
Full Breakdown
050. m. 030(C) as any machine used in the construction, erection, enlargement, alteration, conversion, or movement of a building, structure, or land, including associated scientific surveys, so the rule reaches earthmovers, compressors, generators, and similar job-site machinery, not just power tools. 050 would otherwise allow higher ambient levels. 020, is to protect the peace, health, and welfare of county residents from excessive noise in the unincorporated area, and treats noncompliant noise as a public nuisance. 040: sound level readings may be taken anywhere on a property, generally three to five feet above grade and away from reflective surfaces, using a sound level meter certified within the prior twelve months and operated by a trained enforcement official. must keep equipment below the 75 dB threshold at neighboring dwellings regardless of the underlying zoning district.
Violations & Fines
Operating construction equipment above 75 dB at a dwelling's property line between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is a separate violation of Chapter 10.46 under § 10.46.060, independent of any general exterior noise level exceedance. Under § 10.46.100 (general penalty provisions of Title 10), each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense, and the county may pursue nuisance abatement, citation, or code enforcement action; a property owner may also apply for a waiver under § 10.46.090 if a hardship justifies temporary relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run construction equipment at night in unincorporated Stanislaus County?
What counts as "construction equipment" under the ordinance?
Is there a daytime exemption for construction noise?
Can a contractor request relief from the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
How Stanislaus County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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