Solano County, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Solano 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
- Dedicated Construction-Hours Rule
- None in county code
- Effective Window
- ~6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Governing Code
- Solano County Code Sec. 21-10
- Overnight Decibel Limit
- 65 dBA at property line
- Worker Hearing Protection
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 CCR Sec. 5096
Summary
Unincorporated Solano County has no dedicated construction-hours ordinance. Construction noise is governed indirectly by Solano County Code Sec. 21-10, which makes any non-agricultural noise exceeding 65 dBA at the property line after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. a per se disturbance of the peace. In practice this confines noisy construction to roughly 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
6. Hours of Construction: Any construction related to a BESS facility shall only occur within the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Full Breakdown
Solano County Code Chapter 21 (Public Offenses) contains no separate construction-hours section. The county relies on the general nighttime noise rule in Sec. 21-10, which makes it unlawful to maliciously and willfully disturb the peace by loud or unusual noise and expressly includes any non-agricultural noise exceeding 65 dBA at the property line after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. (Ord. No. 1830). Because construction is non-agricultural activity, work that exceeds 65 dBA at a neighbor's property line during the overnight window is enforceable as a disturbance of the peace. The county's Building & Safety Services issues construction permits without separate time-of-day conditions in the code itself, but a project that violates Sec. 21-10 can be cited. Cal/OSHA workplace noise rules (Title 8 CCR Sec. 5096 et seq.) protect workers on the jobsite but do not set neighbor-facing limits. Cities within Solano County (Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun City, Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista) set their own dedicated construction-hours limits.
Violations & Fines
Construction noise that violates Sec. 21-10 (for example, framing or grading before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. above 65 dBA at the property line) is a misdemeanor disturbance of the peace, punishable under Sec. 1-21 by up to six months jail and/or a $1,000 fine, with each day a separate offense. The Sheriff or Resource Management Code Compliance can cite and pursue abatement under Chapter 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can contractors start construction in unincorporated Solano County?
Are Sunday or holiday construction hours different in unincorporated Solano County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Solano County
How Solano County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·California rules heatmap·Compare Solano County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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