San Diego, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in San Diego, CA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 7pm-7am weekdays
- Sundays/holidays
- no construction noise
- Daytime cap
- 75 dB at residential line
- Off-hours permit
- Noise Abatement Administrator
- Emergency exemption
- 48-hour notice required
Summary
Construction work that creates disturbing noise is banned before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays, on Sundays, and on legal holidays without a permit from the Noise Abatement and Control Administrator; daytime work near homes is capped at 75 decibels.
It shall be unlawful for any person, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. of any day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, or on legal holidays as specified in Section 21.0104 of the San Diego Municipal Code, with exception of Columbus Day and Washington's Birthday, or on Sundays, to erect, construct, demolish, excavate for, alter or repair any building or structure in such a manner as to create disturbing, excessive or offensive noise unless a permit has been applied for and granted beforehand by the Noise Abatement and Control Administrator. In granting such permit, the Administrator shall consider whether the construction noise in the vicinity of the proposed work site would be less objectionable at night than during the daytime because of different population densities or different neighboring activities; whether obstruction and interference with traffic particularly on streets of major importance, would be less objectionable at night than during the daytime; whether the type of work to be performed emits noises at such a low level as to not cause significant disturbances in the vicinity of the work site; the
Full Breakdown
SDMC §59.5.0404(a) bars anyone from erecting, demolishing, excavating, altering or repairing a building between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., on Sundays, or on legal holidays (except Columbus Day and Washington's Birthday) if the work creates disturbing, excessive or offensive noise, unless the Noise Abatement and Control Administrator has granted a permit beforehand. Separately, subsection (b) caps daytime construction noise at an average of 75 decibels at the property line of residentially zoned land during the 7 a.m.-7 p.m. window. Emergency work is exempt from the daytime cap if the Administrator is notified within 48 hours.
Violations & Fines
Working outside the permitted hours, or exceeding the 75-decibel daytime limit near homes without a valid permit, is enforced by the Noise Abatement and Control Administrator as a Municipal Code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run construction equipment on a Sunday in San Diego?
What's the daytime noise limit for construction near homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
How San Diego compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Construction Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle construction hours.