Shasta County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

The County of Shasta (California) does not maintain a general, citation-style decibel ordinance that applies to all property at all times. Instead, numeric noise standards are set in the General Plan Noise Element (Section 5.11) and applied when new projects are reviewed. For new development that includes or is affected by non-transportation noise sources, Table 5.11-6 (Noise Level Performance Standards for New Projects) limits the hourly average noise level (Leq), as measured at the property line of the affected use, to 55 dB during daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dB during nighttime hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Those limits are lowered by 5 dB for simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or recurring impulsive noises. In rural areas with large lots, the exterior noise standard is applied at a point 100 feet away from the residence rather than at the parcel line. The Noise Element also identifies 65 dBA Ldn/CNEL as the maximum normally acceptable exterior noise exposure for residential land uses (transportation-related compatibility, Table 5.11-7), and requires enforcement of the State Noise Insulation Standards (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) for interior noise. These are land-use standards used in planning and CEQA review rather than thresholds a resident can cite directly against a noisy neighbor.