Quiet hours in Fullerton, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.90 caps residential exterior noise at 55 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with interior limits of 55/45 dB(A) for the same daytime/nighttime windows.
Fullerton enforces noise through FMC Chapter 15.90 (Noise Standards and Regulation), originally adopted as Ord. 2982 in 2001. Section 15.90.030(A) applies tiered decibel limits to all residential zones: exterior limits of 55 dB(A) daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 50 dB(A) nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), and interior limits of 55 dB(A) daytime and 45 dB(A) nighttime. Section 15.90.030(B) extends these residential limits to any 'sensitive use' (private/public schools, hospitals, residential care facilities for the elderly, and religious institutions) while in operation, even when the sensitive use sits outside a residential zone. Section 15.90.030(C) layers cumulative-time allowances: the base standard applies for more than 30 minutes per hour, with +5 dB(A) tolerated up to 30 minutes, +10 dB(A) up to 15 minutes, +15 dB(A) up to 5 minutes, and +20 dB(A) for short bursts of less than one minute per hour. Per Section 15.90.060, measurements are taken at any point on the affected (complainant's) property using an ANSI S1.4-1971 Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter at A-weighting, slow response.
Violations are public nuisances under FMC § 15.90.010(B) and are enforced by the Director of Development Services and authorized representatives (§ 15.90.070). Police non-emergency dispatch (714-738-6700) handles after-hours disturbances; Code Enforcement handles ongoing or recurring issues. Cited parties may appeal to the City Council within 15 days under § 15.90.080.
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