San Rafael, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in San Rafael, CA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Weekday hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mon-Fri
- Saturday hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday/holidays
- Construction noise prohibited
- Noise cap
- 90 dBA at the property plane
- Enforcement
- Chief building official; up to 2-day stop-work order
- Governing section
- San Rafael Municipal Code § 8.13.050(A)
Summary
San Rafael limits construction noise to 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, capped at 90 dBA beyond the property line, and bars all construction noise on Sundays and city holidays. Builders must post a jobsite sign listing the hours, and the chief building official can halt work for violations.
Construction. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section, or by the planning commission or city council as part of the development review for the project, on any construction project on property within the city, construction, alteration, demolition, maintenance of construction equipment, deliveries of materials or equipment, or repair activities otherwise allowed under applicable law shall be allowed between the hours of seven a.m. (7:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, and nine a.m. (9:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) on Saturdays, provided that the noise level at any point outside of the property plane of the project shall not exceed ninety (90) dBA. All such activities shall be precluded on Sundays and holidays. Violation of the foregoing may subject the permittee to suspension of work by the chief building official for up to two (2) days per violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
050(A) carves out the standard hours during which construction noise is allowed as of right. m. on Saturdays, provided the noise level measured at any point outside the project's property plane does not exceed 90 dBA. 020 as federal holidays plus the day after Thanksgiving. on weekends and holidays. Any project building a new structure or residence, or one flagged during development review, must post a sign at every site entrance when construction begins. The sign must sit at least five feet above ground, have a white background with legible black lettering at least one and one-half inches tall, and list the Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday/holiday hours along with the 90 dBA limit.
060, which requires ten days' written notice to property owners within 300 feet, runs up to six months, and can be appealed to the city council within five business days.
Violations & Fines
Violating the construction hours or the 90 dBA limit lets the chief building official suspend work for up to two days per violation. Section 8.13.080 allows the city to charge the offense as an infraction or misdemeanor, issue an administrative citation with a fine, or pursue a civil action for a monetary penalty and injunction under Chapter 1.42 of the municipal code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an exception to build outside the normal construction hours in San Rafael?
Is Saturday construction noise treated differently than weekday noise in San Rafael?
What happens if a contractor exceeds the 90 dBA construction noise limit in San Rafael?
Do homeowners doing their own repair work follow the same hours as contractors in San Rafael?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Rafael
How San Rafael compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·California rules heatmap·Compare San Rafael to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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