Industrial noise in San Francisco is capped at 65-70 dBA at the property line under Police Code Article 29 and must not exceed ambient by more than 5 dBA. Fixed mechanical equipment, HVAC, and industrial operations are subject to stricter nighttime limits.
San Francisco Police Code Section 2909 establishes tiered ambient noise limits by zoning district: 55 dBA residential, 60 dBA commercial, 65 dBA light industrial (PDR districts), and 70 dBA heavy industrial, measured at the property line during daytime. Nighttime limits drop 5 dBA. Any fixed noise source, including HVAC rooftop units, refrigeration compressors, loading-dock operations, and manufacturing equipment, must not cause sound at a neighboring receiving property to exceed these limits or the ambient background by more than 5 dBA, whichever is higher. New commercial construction must submit a noise study at permit application if located near residential zones. Violations are enforced by the Department of Public Health, with abatement orders, mandatory acoustic mitigation (enclosures, silencers, barriers), and fines escalating from warnings to $500+ per day for continuing violations. Hotels, restaurants, and PDR tenants near residential neighbors routinely face complaints about rooftop HVAC and should design for -5 dBA below the limit.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact San Francisco code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how San Francisco's industrial noise rules stack up against other locations.
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