Fresno County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime ceiling (Category 1)
- 50 dBA, 7am-10pm
- Nighttime ceiling (Category 1)
- 45 dBA, 10pm-7am
- Absolute max (Category 5)
- 70 dBA day / 65 dBA night
- Tonal/music/impulsive reduction
- minus 5 dBA
- Misdemeanor penalty
- up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
- Admin citation, 1st offense
- $250 fine
- Governing section
- County Code § 8.40.040
Summary
Fresno County caps exterior noise measured at any affected home, school, hospital, church, or library on a sliding five-category scale, from 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime for sounds lasting up to 30 minutes an hour, down to a hard 70/65 dBA ceiling for noise present the entire hour, under County Code § 8.40.040.
It is unlawful for any person, including an owner, whether through the owner or the owner's agent, lessee, sublessor, sublessee or occupant, at any location within the unincorporated area of the county, to create any noise...which causes the exterior noise level when measured at any affected single- or multiple-family residence, school, hospital, church or public library...to exceed the noise level standards as set forth in the following table: Category 1: 30 minutes, Daytime 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 50 dBA, Nighttime 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 45 dBA. Category 5: 0 minutes, Daytime 70 dBA, Nighttime 65 dBA.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
040 sets exterior noise standards for the unincorporated county, enforced against noise created on any property that reaches a neighboring single- or multiple-family residence, school, hospital, church, or public library. The standards use a five-category table keyed to how many cumulative minutes in any one-hour period the noise occurs: Category 1 (up to 30 minutes/hour) tops out at 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime; Category 2 (15 minutes) at 55/50 dBA; Category 3 (5 minutes) at 60/55 dBA; Category 4 (1 minute) at 65/60 dBA; and Category 5, meaning the noise runs continuously, may never exceed 70 dBA daytime or 65 dBA nighttime.
m. 040(B), if the ambient noise level in the area already exceeds a listed standard, that higher ambient level becomes the applicable ceiling instead. 040(C) drops every listed standard by an additional 5 dBA for simple tone noise, noise that is mostly speech or music, or recurring impulsive noise. 030 with an ANSI-compliant sound level meter, calibrated immediately beforehand, positioned within 50 feet of the affected residence or institution and 3 to 5 feet above ground away from reflective surfaces. 020(G)). The current table dates to Ordinance No. 24-021, adopted December 17, 2024, which also created the county's administrative citation and hearing process for chapter violations.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the § 8.40.040 table is a misdemeanor under § 8.40.120(B): up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The county can instead issue an administrative citation under § 8.40.120(C): $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second within six months, and $1,000 for the third and later violations, with each hour of continued noise a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum noise level allowed at my Fresno County property line at night?
Does Fresno County measure noise differently for music or voices?
Who enforces Fresno County's noise limits?
What happens if the neighborhood is already loud before my noise starts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.