Alameda County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Alameda County Code § 6.60.040, Table B
- Daytime cap
- 65 to 85 dB(A) by duration
- Nighttime cap
- 60 to 80 dB(A) by duration
- Scope
- Unincorporated Alameda County only
Summary
Noise reaching a commercial or industrial property in unincorporated Alameda County may run 65 dB(A) by day and 60 dB(A) at night for sustained sound, climbing to 85/80 dB(A) for brief spikes: 10 to 15 dB(A) louder than the residential ceiling next door.
Table 6.60.040B
RECEIVING LAND USE — COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dB(A)
Category Cumulative Number of Minutes in any one hour time period Daytime 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nighttime
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
1 30 65 60 2 15 70 65 3 5 75 70 4 1 80 75 5 0 85 80
B.In the event the measured ambient noise level exceeds the applicable noise level standard in any category above, the applicable standard shall be adjusted so as to equal said ambient noise level.C.Each of the noise level standards specified in Tables 6.60.040A and B shall be reduced by five dB(A) for simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music or for recurring impulsive noises.D.If the intruding noise source is continuous and cannot reasonably be discontinued or stopped for a time period whereby the ambient noise level can be measured, the noise level measured while the source is in operation shall be compared directly to the applicable noise level standards in Table 6.60.040A and Table 6.60.040B.E.Notwithstanding the noise level standards set forth in this section, the noise level standard applicable to the emission of sound from transformers, regulators, or associated equipment in electrical substations shall be 60 dB(A). (Prior gen. code §§ 3-107.401—3-107.405)
6.60.050 - Prohibited noise disturbances.
Full Breakdown
Section 6.60.040(A) makes it unlawful to create noise on property you own or control that exceeds the standards in Table 6.60.040A or 6.60.040B when measured at the receiving property line. Table 6.60.040B, covering commercial properties, sets a sliding scale: 65 dB(A) daytime / 60 dB(A) nighttime for noise lasting 30 or more cumulative minutes in an hour, rising to 85/80 dB(A) for noise under a minute. Those numbers run 10 to 15 dB(A) above the residential, school, hospital, church, and library standards in Table 6.60.040A. Simple-tone, speech, or music noise gets an automatic 5 dB(A) reduction, and construction and residential-maintenance work carry separate time-of-day exemptions.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the table is an infraction: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each one after that, under Section 6.60.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much louder can a commercial noise source be than a house next door?
Does the higher commercial limit apply inside Oakland or Berkeley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda County
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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