Yolo County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit (property line)
- 80 dBA Leq, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Daytime limit (nearby residence)
- 60 dBA Leq
- Nighttime limit (property line)
- 65 dBA Leq, 6 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Absolute residential ceiling
- 60 dBA CNEL
- Applies to
- Licensed cannabis operations only
Summary
Cannabis operations in unincorporated Yolo County face fixed decibel ceilings: 80 dBA at the property line by day, 65 dBA at night, and never more than 60 dBA CNEL at any nearby residence. These are hard numeric limits, not case-by-case conditions.
BB. Noise control. Permittees shall control interior and exterior noise in compliance with the Noise chapter of the Health and Safety Element of the County General Plan including Figure HS-7, Noise Compatibility Guidelines, and Policy HS-7.1 and HS-7.4. The following noise restrictions shall apply: 1. From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., noise levels shall not exceed an average noise level equivalent (Leq) of eighty (80) decibels (dBA) measured at the property boundaries of the site. However, noise levels shall not exceed an average noise level equivalent (Leq) of sixty (60) decibels (dbA) for any nearby off-site residences or other noise-sensitive land uses. 2. From 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., noise levels shall not exceed an average noise level equivalent (Leq) of sixty-five (65) decibels (dBA) measured at the property boundaries of the site. 3. At no time shall noise levels exceed a community noise equivalent (CNEL) of sixty (60) decibels (dBA) for any existing residence or other noise-sensitive land use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4, and then sets three specific numeric thresholds. , noise measured at the property boundary cannot exceed an average noise level equivalent (Leq) of 80 dBA, but the limit tightens to 60 dBA Leq for any nearby off-site residence or other noise-sensitive land use during those same daytime hours. , property-boundary noise cannot exceed 65 dBA Leq. At no time may noise exceed a community noise equivalent level (CNEL) of 60 dBA at any existing residence or noise-sensitive land use, whether that means the property line of residentially zoned land or, on agricultural land, any occupied residence not on the same parcel as the cannabis operation.
The code notes permittees may need setbacks or quieter equipment near residences to hit these numbers (EIR MM NOI-1). This standard governs licensed cannabis cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and retail operations specifically; it is not a general countywide noise ordinance covering all land uses, so a non-cannabis business is not held to this same 80/65/60 dBA schedule.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 80 dBA daytime, 65 dBA nighttime, or 60 dBA CNEL residential thresholds is enforced through the county's cannabis nuisance process under Sec. 8-2.1408(CC): an alert, then a warning citation, then a Notice of Violation, escalating to suspension or revocation of the Cannabis Use Permit and County Cannabis License for repeated or unresolved exceedances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daytime noise limit for a Yolo County cannabis operation?
Do these decibel limits apply to all noise sources in Yolo County?
What happens if a cannabis operation exceeds the noise limit at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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