Santa Clara County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential night limit
- 45 dBA (10p-7a)
- Residential day limit
- 55 dBA (7a-10p)
- Commercial limit
- 60/65 dBA
- Industrial limit
- 70-75 dBA, any time
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County caps exterior noise at 45 dBA nighttime / 55 dBA daytime for single-family homes, rising to 60-65 dBA for commercial land and 70-75 dBA for industrial land.
No person may operate or cause to be operated any source of sound at any location within the unincorporated territory of the County or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by the person, which causes the noise level when measured on any other property either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed: a.The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table B11-152 for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour; or...e.The noise standard plus 20 dB or the maximum measured ambient, for any period of time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Table B11-152 sets maximum sound levels by receiving land use and time of day: single- and two-family residential is 45 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. and 55 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; multifamily residential and public space is 50/55 dBA; commercial is 60/65 dBA; light industrial is 70 dBA and heavy industrial 75 dBA at any time. A source may briefly exceed the standard only under the graduated exposure schedule in Section B11-152(a)(2), and tonal or musical noise gets a 5 dB stricter limit. The rule applies only in the unincorporated area.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the Table B11-152 limit for more than 30 minutes an hour (or the tiered shorter-duration/higher-dB thresholds) is a prima facie nuisance violation under Section B11-158, enforceable by injunction, misdemeanor prosecution, or citizen civil suit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for a single loud moment?
Does a tonal noise like a hum get a stricter limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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