Los Angeles, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Los Angeles, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Daytime period
- 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Nighttime period
- 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- General standard
- Disturbing peace/comfort of reasonable person of normal sensitiveness
- Residential ambient (night)
- 40 dB(A) presumed minimum
- Enforcement body
- LAPD
- Violation level
- Misdemeanor
Summary
LA prohibits willfully making loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that disturbs neighborhood peace at any hour. Nighttime standards (10 pm–7 am) are stricter under the ambient noise table, and LAMC § 116.01 lists 11 factors enforcement officers may consider.
SEC. 116.01. LOUD, UNNECESSARY AND UNUSUAL NOISE.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter and in addition thereto, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary, and unusual noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area. The standard which may be considered in determining whether a violation of the provisions of this section exists may include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The level of noise;
(b) Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;
(c) Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;
(d) The level and intensity of the background noise, if any;
(e) The proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities;
(f) The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;
(g) The density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates;
(h) The time of the day and night the noise occurs;
(I) The duration of the noise;
(j) Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant; and
(k) Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 116.01 is a catch-all general noise prohibition with no fixed decibel trigger: audible disturbance of a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness is sufficient. The 11 listed factors include level, duration, recurrence, proximity to sleeping facilities, and time of day. The § 111.03 ambient noise table implicitly defines day (7 am–10 pm) and night (10 pm–7 am) as the operative windows. Residential ambient drops from 50 dB(A) daytime to 40 dB(A) nighttime, functionally creating stricter limits after 10 pm even without a named quiet-hours ordinance. LAPD may issue citations; the City may also pursue nuisance abatement.
Violations & Fines
Violation of § 116.01 is a misdemeanor under LAMC § 11.00. The City may additionally seek injunctive relief under § 111.04 to abate a continuing nuisance. Enforced by LAPD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific cutoff time for noise in LA?
What 11 factors can police consider?
Can my neighbor call the police about noise at 3 pm?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
How Los Angeles compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Quiet Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle quiet hours.