Yorba Linda, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Yorba Linda designates the entire city as a single residential noise zone under Section 8.32.050, and Section 8.32.060 fixes the exterior standard for that zone at 55 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dB(A) from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured anywhere on the affected residential property. A brief exceedance is not automatically a violation: the standard can be exceeded by 5 dB(A) for up to 15 minutes an hour, by 10 dB(A) for up to five minutes, by 15 dB(A) for up to one minute, and a full 20 dB(A) overage is never allowed for any length of time.

Each of those limits drops by 5 dB(A) for impact noise, simple-tone noise, or noise consisting of speech or music, since those sounds are more likely to disturb. Section 8.32.070 sets separate interior limits that apply only between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.: 45 dB(A) for more than five minutes in an hour, 50 dB(A) for more than one minute, and 55 dB(A) for any period of time, measured inside the dwelling with windows closed and at least four feet from the nearest wall, ceiling or floor.

Schools, hospitals and churches get the same protection as residential property under Section 8.32.100 while signs are posted nearby. Enforcement rests with the County Health Officer under Section 8.32.030, who may arrest without a warrant for a misdemeanor committed in his or her presence, and Section 8.32.200 makes any violation a misdemeanor with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.