Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplified outdoor music generally prohibited after 10:00 PM.
Santa Clara City Code Chapter 9.10 and individual Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) govern outdoor music at venues throughout the city. Levis Stadium concerts and major events operate under a specific CUP with negotiated noise thresholds and curfews, typically requiring outdoor amplified sound to cease by 11:00 PM on event nights. Restaurants and patios with outdoor entertainment must comply with the standard 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime residential receiving limits, and most outdoor live music must end by 10:00 PM. Santana Row and the Rivermark shopping district have seasonal outdoor concert series that require Special Event Permits through the City Clerk. Farmers markets and community events in parks operate under Parks and Recreation Department permits. Residential homeowners hosting backyard live music must keep sound plainly inaudible at 50 feet after 10 PM. Violations can result in immediate order to cease, administrative citations, and potential CUP review for commercial venues with repeated complaints.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle outdoor music.
See how Santa Clara's outdoor music rules stack up against other locations.
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