Pinal County, AZ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential limit
- 60 dBA day / 55 dBA night
- Rural limit
- 65 dBA day / 60 dBA night
- Commercial limit
- 65 dBA day / 60 dBA night
- Industrial limit
- 70 dBA day / 65 dBA night
- Measurement method
- 2-minute LEQ at property line
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Pinal County only
- Penalty
- Civil fine up to $750 per day
Summary
Unincorporated Pinal County caps ambient sound at the property line under a four-tier table tied to zoning, set out in County Code Section 10-24. Residential districts such as CR-1 through CR-5, MH, RV and TR may not exceed 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 55 dBA overnight, with higher ceilings in rural, commercial and industrial zones.
Violations. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this section for any person to operate or to permit to be operated any site-specific source of sound which when measured at any point of the property line where the noise emission is generated: 1. Creates a sound level in excess of its ambient sound pressure level (LEQ) limit, indicated in table 1 below: Table 1. Limiting Sound Levels For Land Use Districts. Zoning District Classifications / LEQ Limits, dBA. (Residential) CR-1A, CR-1, CR-2, CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, OS, MH, RV, MHP, PM/RVP, TR: 60 dBA (7:00 a.m. — 8 p.m.); 55 dBA (8:00 p.m. — 7:00 a.m.). (Commercial or business) CB-1, CB-2: 65 dBA (7:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m.); 60 dBA (10:00 p.m. — 7:00 a.m.). (Industrial) CI-B, CI-1, CI-2: 70 dBA (7:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m.); 65 dBA (10:00 p.m. — 7:00 a.m.). (Rural) CAR, SR, SR-1, SH, GR, GR-5, GR-10: 65 dBA (7:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m.); 60 dBA (9:00 p.m. — 7:00 a.m.). The LEQ limits specified in table 1 are LEQ for a two-minute time interval.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-24 of the Pinal County Code sets Table 1, the Limiting Sound Levels for Land Use Districts, which applies only in the unincorporated county under Section 10-19; incorporated cities such as Florence, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Apache Junction, Coolidge and Eloy, plus Indian reservations, are excluded. , dropping to 55 dBA overnight. ) and 60 dBA at night. and 60 dBA after, while industrial zones CI-B, CI-1 and CI-2 top out at 70 dBA daytime and 65 dBA overnight. 4-1971 Type 2 sound level meter set to slow response under Section 10-23.
Section 10-24(2) adds a cross-boundary rule: sound projected from one zoning district into an adjoining district with a lower limit cannot exceed that lower limit, so a commercial lot next to a residential subdivision must still hold to the 60/55 dBA residential ceiling at the shared line. S. S. 05.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 10-24 is a public nuisance under Section 10-28 and exposes the violator to prosecution for Class 1 misdemeanor disorderly conduct under A.R.S. Section 13-2904, with each day of continuing noise charged as a separate offense. The county may instead pursue it as a civil infraction carrying fines up to $750.00 per day. The board of supervisors, the county attorney, the code compliance manager, or any neighboring property owner especially damaged by the noise can also seek an injunction or abatement action in addition to these penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the residential noise limit in unincorporated Pinal County?
How does the county measure a noise complaint?
What if my property borders a stricter zoning district?
What penalty applies for exceeding the decibel limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinal County
Compare Pinal County to another location·View the Arizona noise ordinances overview
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