Buena Park, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

The City of Buena Park uses measured decibel limits, not just a 'too loud' standard. Per the 2035 General Plan Noise Element (Table N-3, citing Municipal Code Section 8.28.010 and adopted Orange County Code Section 4-6-5), the residential exterior noise limit at the property line is 55 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The interior limit inside another dwelling on a residential property is 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA at night. The adopted county code does not set decibel limits for other land uses such as commercial or industrial. The standard is duration-tiered: under adopted Section 4-6-5, a person may not cause the noise level on another residential property to exceed the standard for more than 30 minutes in any hour; the standard plus 5 dBA for more than 15 minutes; plus 10 dBA for more than 5 minutes; plus 15 dBA for more than 1 minute; or plus 20 dBA for any period of time. Section 4-6-5 also reduces the limit by 5 dBA when the offending noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple-tone noise, speech, music, or any combination, and allows an adjustment based on the measured ambient level. The interior standard (Section 4-6-6) is similarly tiered (more than 5 minutes; plus 5 dBA for more than 1 minute; plus 10 dBA for any period). Because Section 8.28.010 adopts the county standards by reference and substitutes the city's name, these limits apply within Buena Park's city limits, distinct from Orange County's unincorporated-area enforcement.