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

Oxnard Municipal Code Chapter 5.16 applies to all noise sources, including amplified music and public address systems. Under the ordinance, any use of loudspeakers, amplifiers, or similar devices that causes sound to cross a residential property line between 10 PM and 7 AM in a manner that disturbs the peace of neighbors constitutes a noise disturbance. At all hours, amplified sound originating from any source — residential backyard parties, commercial venues, mobile systems — must not cause the exterior level at a receiving residential property line to exceed 55 dBA (day) or 45 dBA (night). Sound containing perceptible music or speech is subject to the 5 dB tonal correction, reducing the effective allowable level to 50 dBA daytime and 40 dBA nighttime at a residential receiver.

Oxnard Municipal Code Chapter 5.48 requires commercial establishments that regularly provide live entertainment, amplified music, or DJ performances to obtain an Entertainment Permit from the City's Finance and Business Services Department. The permit specifies permitted hours of entertainment, maximum outdoor sound levels, and any required acoustic mitigation (such as sound walls or directed speaker placement). Venues in the Channel Islands Harbor area — including the Collection at RiverPark and Harbor Landing restaurants — operate under conditional use permits that typically include specific noise management plans reviewed and approved by the Planning Division. Outdoor patio music is a common subject of CUP noise condition enforcement in this area.

For larger one-time or recurring outdoor events such as concerts, festivals, and community celebrations in Oxnard parks (including Plaza Park and Oxnard Performing Arts Center grounds), organizers must apply for a Special Event Permit through the City Manager's Office or Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Applications must detail amplification equipment, speaker placement, and event hours. Amplified sound in Oxnard city parks is generally limited to areas where events are permitted and during approved event hours. The annual Salsa Festival and Strawberry Festival — held at Plaza Park — are examples of events operating under special event sound management plans.