Livermore, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 9.36.080 of the Livermore Municipal Code, in Chapter 9.36 (Noise), bans operating a pile driver, pneumatic tools, derrick, electric hoist, sandblaster or other construction, demolition or repair equipment attended by loud or unusual noise during the same blackout hours used elsewhere in the chapter: 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 7:00 a.m. Monday, 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights, 8:00 p.m. Friday to 9:00 a.m. Saturday, and all day on city-observed holidays. Section 9.36.110 then carves out two exceptions. Subsection A lets a homeowner or resident doing their own home-improvement work, without a contractor present and with a valid building permit if one is required, use noise-generating construction tools between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. seven days a week, wider hours than a contractor gets under Section 9.36.080.

Subsection D gives the city engineer or building official authority to approve construction during the restricted hours when another public agency's permit requires it, when public health, safety or welfare demands it, or when a specific activity like a large concrete pour is approved as a condition of a project's public hearing. Subsection E requires the contractor or city staff to notify the Livermore Police Department watch commander and adjacent residents and business owners at least 24 hours before using an approved exception. Section 9.36.080 dates to the 1960 code (Section 13B.3(f)) and was updated by Ordinance 1672 in 2002; Section 9.36.110 was most recently amended by Ordinance 2120 in 2020. Violations of the restricted hours are infractions under LMC Section 1.16.010.