Chino Hills, CA Noise Ordinances: Outdoor Music (2026)

The City of Chino Hills regulates outdoor and live music through Municipal Code Section 16.48.020. Music played outdoors must stay within the Table 16.48-1 exterior limits on the nearest receiving property, and Section 16.48.020(E) reduces each permitted maximum by 5 dBA for noise consisting of music or speech, so for single-family residential receiving property the effective daytime cap is about 55 dBA and 40 dBA at night. The plainly-audible test in Section 16.48.020(G) also applies: musical instruments, loudspeakers, and sound amplifiers that are plainly audible 25 feet away in a residential zone between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are prima facie evidence of a violation. Importantly, Section 16.48.020(B) exempts occasional outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows, sporting and entertainment events when conducted under a city-issued special event permit or other permit, as well as public-school-sponsored activities on school property and typical activities at public parks and playgrounds. So a permitted festival or city event is treated differently from an unpermitted backyard concert. These rules are the City of Chino Hills' own standards, not San Bernardino County's. Event organizers should confirm special-event permit requirements with the city before amplifying outdoor music.