Mariposa County, CA Noise Ordinances: Outdoor Music (2026)

Outdoor music in unincorporated Mariposa County is not governed by a standing noise ordinance, because the County has not adopted one. The key county tool is event-specific. General Plan Implementation Measure 15-2b(3) states that 'the County shall require appropriate noise reduction measures for outdoor public events,' with measures that may include a noise impact analysis, 'restrictions on the level of amplification of sound systems,' and 'conditions on the start, finish, and duration of the event,' plus limits on participants and temporary noise barriers. The General Plan acknowledges that 'significant sources of noise are sometimes emitted from outdoor special event activities, although these events are limited in duration.' These conditions are applied case-by-case through the County's planning and event-permit process, administered by the Planning and Health Departments, rather than by a countywide cutoff time. For outdoor music that is not part of a permitted event, such as a backyard party or a wedding at a vacation rental in Wawona, Fish Camp or Hornitos, the operative rule is California Penal Code Section 415, which prohibits maliciously and willfully disturbing another person by loud and unreasonable noise. Hosts should keep music reasonable, end it before it becomes a nighttime disturbance, and follow any permit conditions on amplification and end time.