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

Ojai's identity as an artistic community and destination for music, festivals, and cultural gatherings creates a unique tension between creative expression and the quiet, semi-rural character that residents prize. Municipal Code Chapter 7-2 does not contain a separate outdoor music ordinance; instead, amplified sound from outdoor music is regulated under the same decibel-based noise standards that apply to all noise sources. At any hour, amplified music must not cause the sound level at a neighboring residential property line to exceed 55 dBA during the day or 45 dBA at night. The compact layout of Ojai's downtown village means that music from restaurant patios, gallery openings, and street performances can easily reach nearby residences.

The internationally recognized Ojai Music Festival, held annually at Libbey Bowl in Libbey Park, operates under a Special Event Permit issued by the City that specifies allowable sound levels, hours of amplified performance, and monitoring requirements. Other recurring cultural events — including outdoor concerts at the Ojai Art Center, music at local wineries and tasting rooms, and street fairs along Ojai Avenue — similarly require permits with site-specific sound conditions. The City's Community Development Department reviews permit applications and may impose conditions such as speaker orientation requirements, maximum amplification levels, sound barriers, and mandatory cutoff times.

For private residential gatherings, amplified outdoor music is the leading source of noise complaints, particularly on summer weekends when windows are open and sound travels freely across the valley floor. Residents hosting backyard events with speakers, live bands, or DJ equipment are advised to keep volumes low, orient speakers away from neighboring properties, and cease amplified sound by 10 PM. After 10 PM, even modest amplified music that is audible at a neighbor's property line may result in a citation from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.