Quiet hours in Berkeley, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Berkeley enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10pm to 7am on weekdays and 10pm to 9am on weekends under BMC Chapter 13.40, with strict enforcement typical of this progressive city.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 13.40 (Community Noise) prohibits noise that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity between 10:00pm and 7:00am Monday through Friday, and 10:00pm to 9:00am on weekends and holidays. Berkeley maintains a reputation for proactive noise enforcement, and officers may issue citations based on complaint without requiring decibel readings for plainly audible disturbances. UC Berkeley student-heavy neighborhoods near Southside and the Elmwood see particular focus during finals and move-in periods. Repeat offenders face escalating fines, and amplified sound after hours is treated as a per-se violation. Residents can file complaints with the Police non-emergency line or via the city online portal.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle quiet hours.
See how Berkeley's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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