Santa Ana Construction Hours Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Santa Ana Municipal Code Chapter 18 limits construction noise in and near residential areas to the hours of 7 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday. No construction work is permitted on Sundays or on federal holidays. These restrictions apply equally to professional contractors working on commercial or residential projects and to homeowners undertaking their own improvements — there is no exemption for owner-occupied DIY work. The rules cover all phases of construction including grading, excavation, demolition, framing, roofing, concrete work, and finish carpentry.

All powered construction equipment — including compressors, generators, saws, jackhammers, backhoes, and concrete mixers — must be fitted with the manufacturer's standard muffler or equivalent noise attenuation. Equipment that has had its muffler removed or modified in a way that increases noise output is in violation regardless of the time of day. Contractors working on large-scale projects in Santa Ana's dense central neighborhoods are frequently required by the Planning Division to submit a construction noise management plan as a condition of approval, particularly for projects within 500 feet of existing residential units.

Santa Ana's urban density means that construction noise impacts are significant even within legal hours. The city experiences a high volume of infill development, ADU construction, and renovation projects throughout its established neighborhoods. Residents affected by construction noise outside permitted hours should contact Code Enforcement at (714) 667-2780. For construction occurring after 8 PM or on Sundays, the Police Department non-emergency line at (714) 245-8665 can dispatch an officer to direct the work to stop.