Berkeley enforces specific decibel caps in BMC 13.40: 60 dB daytime and 50 dB nighttime in residential zones, measured at the property line, among the strictest in the Bay Area.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 13.40 sets numeric decibel limits that vary by zone and time of day. Residential zones: 60 dBA day (7am-10pm weekdays, 9am-10pm weekends) and 50 dBA night. Commercial zones: 65 dBA day and 55 dBA night. Industrial zones: 70 dBA day and 60 dBA night. Measurements are taken at the property line of the receiving property. The 50 dBA residential nighttime limit is approximately the loudness of a quiet conversation and is among the strictest in California. Code enforcement officers use calibrated Type 2 sound level meters, and violations can be established with a single measurement over the threshold.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle decibel limits.
See how Berkeley's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
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