San Diego County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone 1 residential day
- 50 dBA, 7am-10pm
- Zone 1 residential night
- 45 dBA, 10pm-7am
- Commercial zones day
- 60 dBA, 7am-10pm
- Industrial zones M50/52/54
- 70 dBA anytime
- Extractive zones M56/58
- 75 dBA anytime
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County caps noise at 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime in low-density residential zones, with higher limits up to 75 dBA in industrial and extractive zones, measured at the property line under County Code Section 36.404.
Except as provided in section 36.409 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise, which exceeds the one-hour average sound level limits in Table 36.404, when the one-hour average sound level is measured at the property line of the property on which the noise is produced or at any location on a property that is receiving the noise.
TABLE 36.404 SOUND LEVEL LIMITS IN DECIBELS (dBA) ZONE TIME ONE-HOUR AVERAGE SOUND LEVEL LIMITS (dBA) ONE- HOUR AVERAGE ZONE TIME SOUND LEVEL LIMITS (dBA)
7 a.m.
(1) RS, RD, RR, RMH, A70, A72, S80, S81, S90, S92, RV, and RU with a to 10 50 General Plan Land Use Designation density of less than 10.9 dwelling units p.m. per acre. 10 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated San Diego County sets one-hour average sound level limits by zone under County Code § 36.404. Low-density residential zones (RS, RD, RR, RMH and similar) cap noise at 50 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., dropping to 45 dBA overnight. Higher-density residential and commercial zones allow 55-60 dBA, while industrial zones (M50, M52, M54) permit up to 70 dBA at any time and extractive uses (M56, M58, borrow pits, mines) up to 75 dBA. Limits are measured at the property line; if ambient noise already exceeds the table, the ambient level plus 3 dBA becomes the ceiling. The County noise control officer enforces most sections, with the Sheriff handling several specific ones.
Violations & Fines
Violating noise limits is a misdemeanor; the noise control officer can order the violator to stop and summarily abate the noise as a public nuisance if it threatens health or safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the noise limit in San Diego County residential areas?
Where is noise measured to check compliance?
Who enforces San Diego County's noise limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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