Sonoma Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 9.56 (Noise) regulates construction noise within city limits. Residential power equipment and construction may operate Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday and holiday construction is prohibited for residential and non-emergency commercial work. The city defines daytime as 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday for noise-limit purposes.
SMC Chapter 9.56 (adopted by Ordinance 03-2006) replaced the prior 'Excessive Noise' chapter with a comprehensive noise control framework. The chapter declares it city policy to protect peace, health, safety, and general welfare from excessive, unnecessary, and unreasonable noise. Residential power equipment (lawn mowers, leaf blowers, power saws) operating on private property is restricted to Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. — no Sunday operation. Permitted commercial construction follows similar hours but may be further restricted by conditions in the building permit. The Planning Commission or City Council may impose additional construction-hour limits and decibel caps as conditions on use permits and tentative maps. Construction outside permitted hours requires a noise variance from the Building Official.
Violation of SMC Chapter 9.56 is an infraction or misdemeanor at the city's option per SMC 1.20.010, with infraction fines of $100/$200/$500 for first/second/third offenses within a 12-month period. Continuing violations may be cited daily. The city may also pursue abatement and injunctive relief.
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