Garden Grove Outdoor Music Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Garden Grove's noise ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 8.44) does not have a separate section dedicated solely to outdoor music but regulates amplified sound under the same decibel standards and quiet hour provisions that apply to all noise sources. Outdoor music — whether amplified through speakers, performed live, or broadcast via PA systems — must comply with the applicable zone-based decibel limits: 55 dBA during the day and 50 dBA at night for residential zones, measured at the property line of the affected property.

During quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the plainly audible at 50 feet standard provides an additional enforcement mechanism: any music or amplified sound emanating from a residential property that is audible at 50 feet or more from the source is a violation regardless of the measured decibel level. This standard is commonly invoked for house parties and backyard gatherings that extend into late-night hours.

Commercial establishments — including the many restaurants, karaoke bars, and entertainment venues in Garden Grove's Little Saigon district along Bolsa Avenue and Brookhurst Street — must manage their amplified sound to avoid exceeding decibel standards at neighboring residential property lines. Businesses with outdoor dining areas or patio entertainment may be subject to conditional use permit requirements that specify maximum sound levels and hours of amplified entertainment. The city's annual Strawberry Festival and other city-sponsored events operate under municipal exemptions that allow amplified sound during designated event hours. Private parties or organizations seeking to hold outdoor events with amplified music must apply for a special event permit through the Community and Economic Development Department, which may impose conditions on volume, hours, and the orientation of speaker systems.