Mountain View, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

, measured at any point on a receiving residentially used property. 4-1971 Type 2 meter, the code's own accuracy benchmark. Anyone applying for a building, plumbing, electrical or mechanical/heating permit for stationary equipment must submit available noise-level documentation along with noise mitigating devices or buffers sufficient to meet the limit; the code is explicit that getting the initial equipment permit does not excuse the owner from continued compliance afterward. If equipment cannot meet the 55/50 dB(A) ceiling, the only path to keep operating it is a conditional use permit issued by the zoning administrator, who may grant one only after finding the noise will not be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort or general welfare of nearby residents.

That permit process runs through Mountain View City Code Sec. 43 and following, the city's general conditional-use-permit procedure, meaning an application, a public hearing record and administrator findings, not an automatic approval. The ordinance was adopted by Ord. No. 81 on August 31, 1981, and has not been superseded by a later numeric standard in this chapter.