Quiet hours in Santa Cruz County, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 8.30 (Noise) prohibits any offensive noise between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in unincorporated areas (including Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Felton, Boulder Creek, La Selva Beach). During 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. a noise is automatically offensive if clearly discernible from 150 feet beyond the property line. Commercial agriculture is exempt.
Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 8.30 covers the unincorporated county; the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, and Scotts Valley each have their own noise chapters. SCCC 8.30 bars any 'offensive noise' between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., defined as noise that is loud, boisterous, irritating, penetrating, or unreasonably distracting to people of ordinary sensitivities. Between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. a sound is automatically deemed offensive if it is clearly discernible at 150 feet beyond the source property line. Sources cited in the chapter include people, gatherings, parties, amplified music, appliances, machinery, tools, and construction equipment. Farming operations on land designated commercial agriculture in the County General Plan are exempt. Cal. Penal Code Section 415 (disturbing the peace) also applies countywide. Report complaints to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff non-emergency line at (831) 471-1121.
Violations of Chapter 8.30 are punishable as infractions or misdemeanors under SCCC Title 1 general penalty provisions and may be enforced through administrative citations and Code Compliance abatement. Cal. Penal Code Section 415 disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail or a $400 fine.
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See how Santa Cruz County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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