Santa Clara County, CA Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

The County Noise Ordinance (Division B11, Chapter VIII) sets exterior noise limits by receiving land use that apply to industrial activity. For property in the Light Industrial receiving category, the maximum permissible exterior noise level is 70 dBA at any time; for Heavy Industrial, it is 75 dBA at any time (Section B11-152). When an industrial operation's noise reaches a neighboring residential, multifamily or commercial property, the lower limits for those receiving categories apply at that boundary - for example, 55 dBA daytime / 45 dBA night for one- and two-family residential. If the noise contains a steady audible tone such as a whine, screech or hum (common in industrial machinery), the applicable limit from the noise table is reduced by 5 dB. Repetitively scheduled, long-term stationary equipment (operating 10 days or more) is further limited, where technically and economically feasible, to 60 dBA at single-/two-family residential areas, 65 dBA at multifamily, and 70 dBA at commercial during the day (7 a.m.-7 p.m. except Sundays/holidays), dropping to 50/55/60 dBA at night and on Sundays/holidays. Air-handling equipment is separately capped at 45 dBA at a residential property line. Interior standards are in Section B11-153. These limits apply only to the unincorporated County.