Palm Desert, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 9.24.070 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code ties construction hours to the building permit. It applies to any work for which a building permit is required by the city, including construction, erection, demolition, alteration, repair, addition to or improvement of any building, structure, road or improvement to realty. Hours depend on the season. From October 1st through April 30th, Monday through Friday work is allowed from seven a.m. to five-thirty p.m., and Saturday work from eight a.m. to five p.m. From May 1st through September 30th, Monday through Friday work is allowed from five-thirty a.m. to seven p.m., and Saturday work stays at eight a.m. to five p.m. In both seasons the schedule for Sunday reads None and the schedule for government code holidays reads None.

The earlier summer start reflects desert heat, but the code states no reason; it simply prints the two schedules. Emergency work and unusual conditions can be permitted with the consent of the city manager upon recommendation of the building director or the city engineer. The rule binds the person performing the work, any person employed to do it and any person who causes another to be employed, so owners and contractors both answer for after-hours work.

Section 9.24.060(G) exempts noise sources associated with construction activities from the general noise provisions and refers to Section 9.24.070, so the hours table is the control for permitted work. Owners and tenants doing noncommercial property maintenance at a residence fall under Section 9.24.075 instead, which allows seven a.m. to five-thirty p.m. every day except government code holidays.