Visalia, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime hours
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Nighttime hours
- 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Daytime limit (Category 1, 30 min)
- 50 dBA
- Nighttime limit (Category 1, 30 min)
- 45 dBA
- Daytime limit (instantaneous)
- 70 dBA
- Music/pure-tone reduction
- 5 dB additional reduction
Summary
Visalia sets tiered exterior dBA limits at the property line of any noise-sensitive land use: daytime limits range from 50 to 70 dBA depending on duration, with nighttime limits 5 dBA lower across the board.
It is unlawful for any person at any location within the city to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise, on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the exterior noise level, when measured at the property line of any affected noise sensitive land use, to exceed any of the categorical noise level standards as set forth in the following table:
NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dBA Category Cumulative Number of minutes in Daytime Nighttime any one-hour time period 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
1 30 50 45 2 15 55 50 3 5 60 55 4 1 65 60 5 0 70 65
Each of the noise level standards specified above shall be reduced by five dB for pure tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or for recurring impulsive noises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-50: Municipal Code contains Supplement, current through Ordinance 2025-15, passed 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
The ordinance uses five cumulative-duration categories: up to 30 minutes per hour at 50 dBA daytime/45 nighttime (Category 1), down to instantaneous (0 minutes) at 70 dBA daytime/65 nighttime (Category 5). Pure-tone or music-based noise gets an additional 5 dB reduction. If ambient noise already exceeds the standard, the standard adjusts upward to match ambient. Interior residential standards are stricter: Category 1 is 45 dBA daytime/35 nighttime, and any audible audio/video equipment is conclusively deemed a violation.
Violations & Fines
Violations are misdemeanors; each hour of violating activity is a separate offense. The planning and community preservation director enforces fixed-source violations; police enforce mobile-source violations. City may also seek injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the limit apply at my fence line or at the neighbor's house?
Is the standard different for a neighbor who already has loud background noise?
Does music face a stricter limit than ordinary noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
California rules heatmap·Compare Visalia to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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