Sacramento County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise Area 1 daytime cap
- 55 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Noise Area 1 nighttime cap
- 50 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Music/speech penalty
- Standard tightened by 5 dBA
- Measurement point
- 1 ft inside property line (§6.68.060)
- Enforcement
- Sheriff or County Health Officer (§6.68.230)
- Violation class
- Infraction; each day separate offense
- Variance path
- Hearing Board, 10-day appeal to Supervisors
Summary
Sacramento County caps exterior noise in residential-zoned Noise Area 1 (RE-1 through AR-5, R-1-A through RM-2) at 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under Code § 6.68.070. Brief loud sounds get graduated allowances, but tone, speech or music noise loses a 5 dBA cushion, and an already-loud ambient environment can push the ceiling higher.
a. The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, shall apply to all properties within a designated noise area. [Noise Area 1: County Zoning Districts RE-1, RD-1, RE-2, RD-2, RE-3, RD-3, RD-4, R-1-A, RD-5, R-2, RD-10, R-2A, RD-20, R-3, R-D-30, RD-40, RM-1, RM-2, A-1-B, AR-1, A-2, AR-2, A-5, AR-5; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 55 dBA; 10 p.m.-7 a.m. 50dBA] b. It is unlawful for any person at any location within the County to create any noise which causes the noise levels on an affected property... to exceed for the duration of time set forth following, the specified exterior noise standards in any one hour by: ... 5. Level not to be exceeded for any time per hour +20. c. Each of the noise limits specified in subdivision (b) of this section shall be reduced by five dBA for impulsive or simple tone noises, or for noises consisting of speech or music. d. If the ambient noise level exceeds that permitted by any of the first four noise-limit categories specified in subdivision (b), the allowable noise limit shall be increased in five dBA increments in each category to encompass the ambient noise level.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
070 sets the exterior standard that anchors Sacramento County's whole noise chapter. m. 060 at least one foot inside the affected property line, mic height three to five feet, at least four feet from reflecting walls. ' Subsection (c) strips 5 dBA off every one of those allowances when the offending sound is impulsive, a pure tone, or consists of speech or music, so loud parties and PA systems get less slack than a generic mechanical hum. Subsection (d) lets an already-loud ambient environment raise the ceiling in 5 dBA steps rather than criminalizing background conditions the complainant can't control. m. Saturday start) and Sundays. 110, which treats a 10 dBA excess over ambient as automatically unlawful while they're in use.
Violations & Fines
A complaint triggers investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff or the County Health Officer under § 6.68.230. If they find a violation, they serve written notice specifying the dBA readings and time of detection and can order corrective action; failing to comply within the specified time converts the citation into an infraction, with each additional day a separate offense. Section 6.68.240 also lets the County pursue the noise as a public nuisance and seek court abatement independent of the infraction citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum outdoor noise level allowed at night in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Can I get cited for one loud noise that only lasts a few seconds?
Who investigates a noise complaint and what's the penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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