Quiet hours in Fresno, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Fresno's Noise Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 1) sets zone- and time-based exterior sound limits. In residential districts the limit is 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM, 55 dBA from 7 PM to 10 PM, and 60 dBA from 7 AM to 7 PM; any noise exceeding the ambient level at a neighbor's property line by more than 5 decibels is prima facie unlawful.
Fresno regulates noise primarily through decibel limits keyed to land-use district and time of day rather than a single 'quiet hours' window. Section 10-102(b) of the Fresno Municipal Code establishes the ambient/maximum sound levels: Residential districts are capped at 50 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., 55 dBA from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 60 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Commercial districts at 60 dBA (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) and 65 dBA (7 a.m.-10 p.m.); Industrial districts at 70 dBA anytime. Section 10-105 separately prohibits any sound 'which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing or working in the area.' Under Section 10-106, any noise exceeding the ambient noise level at the offended party's property line (or, in a condo/apartment, within an adjoining living unit) 'by more than five decibels shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence of a violation.' Measurement procedures are specified in Sections 10-103 and 10-104 (A-weighted sound level meter, 15-minute averaging). A permit allowing otherwise-prohibited noise may be issued under Section 10-110 where the public interest is served or strict enforcement would cause extreme hardship.
Violation of the Noise Ordinance is enforceable as an infraction under the City's general penalty provisions, and under Section 10-111 a violating device or activity is declared a public nuisance subject to abatement by restraining order or injunction. Infraction fines under FMC 1-304(c) run up to $100 (first), $200 (second within a year), and $500 (each additional within a year).
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