Del Norte County, CA Noise Ordinances: Outdoor Music (2026)

Outdoor music at homes and gatherings in the unincorporated area is treated like other music under the county's noise ordinance: the exterior residential limit of 55 dB(A) daytime / 50 dB(A) nighttime is reduced by 5 dB(A) when the sound is music, so it is effectively about 50 dB(A) by day and 45 dB(A) at night at a neighboring residential property, with the tiered short-burst allowances and an absolute cap of the standard plus 20 dB(A). Importantly, the ordinance carves out several public and seasonal activities. Exempt from the noise standards are 'Activities conducted on any beach, park or playground which is owned and operated by a public entity,' 'Activities conducted on the grounds of any public or private nursery, elementary, intermediate or secondary school or college,' and, 'On July 3rd and 4th of each year, activities associated with the celebration of Independence Day.' So community concerts and events in public parks and at schools are not measured against the residential limits, while a backyard sound system is. The county nuisance ordinance (Chapter 7.08) remains a backstop for sound that disturbs neighbors. These rules apply in the unincorporated county; Crescent City regulates outdoor events within the city.