Contra Costa County, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Unincorporated Contra Costa County restricts construction activity to reasonable daytime hours to balance development with residential peace. Standard allowed hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays. Construction is generally not allowed on Sundays or federal holidays. These limits are applied through conditions of approval on building permits and through the general noise ordinance in Title 716. Emergency repairs (burst pipes, downed trees, utility restoration) are exempt. Larger development projects are often subject to mitigation measures under CEQA that may tighten hours further — common in Alamo, Blackhawk, Discovery Bay, and Kensington where residential-compatibility is elevated. Contractors working on county or public-agency projects may have their own schedules set by the contract. Violation of permitted hours is enforced by Code Enforcement and can result in stop-work orders and fines. Homeowner DIY projects are held to the same hours. In rural east county the 'Right to Farm' protections do not cover construction — only bona fide agricultural operations.