Los Angeles County Quiet Hours Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsKey Facts
- Daytime Hours
- 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Nighttime Hours
- 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM
- Max Fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Max Jail Time
- 6 months (misdemeanor)
- Enforcement
- LA County Sheriff / Code Enforcement
- Code Reference
- Title 12, Chapter 12.08
The Short Version
Unincorporated Los Angeles County enforces strict noise rules under Title 12, Chapter 12.08. Daytime hours run from 7 AM to 10 PM, and nighttime hours run from 10 PM to 7 AM. Noise that is "loud, unnecessary, and unusual" and disturbs the peace of the community is prohibited at all hours. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail.
Full Breakdown
Los Angeles County's noise ordinance, codified in Title 12, Chapter 12.08 of the County Code, covers all unincorporated areas — roughly one million residents spread across communities from Altadena to Willowbrook. The ordinance draws a clear line between daytime (7 AM to 10 PM) and nighttime (10 PM to 7 AM), with stricter standards during nighttime hours.
The general prohibition targets any noise that is "loud, unnecessary, and unusual" and that disturbs or annoys the quiet, comfort, or repose of people in the vicinity. This covers everything from amplified music and power tools to barking dogs and vehicle modifications. During nighttime hours, the threshold for what constitutes a disturbance is lower, and enforcement is more aggressive.
The ordinance specifically enumerates prohibited acts including operating loudspeakers, playing musical instruments at excessive volumes, keeping noisy animals, running unmuffled motors, and loading or unloading trucks during nighttime hours. LA County Sheriff's deputies handle noise complaints in real time, while the Department of Regional Planning's Code Enforcement division handles chronic violations and follow-up investigations.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Violations of Chapter 12.08 are misdemeanors. Each offense carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense. The County may also pursue civil abatement proceedings to eliminate chronic noise sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are quiet hours in unincorporated LA County?
How do I file a noise complaint in unincorporated LA County?
Do the noise rules differ from the City of Los Angeles?
Sources & Official References
Related Ordinances in Los Angeles County
Decibel Limits
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances · Los Angeles County, CA
Section 12.08.390 of the LA County Code sets specific decibel limits based on land use zone and time of day. Residential zones are capped at 50 dB during the...
Construction Hours
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances · Los Angeles County, CA
Under Section 12.08.440, construction activity is prohibited between 7 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and all day on Sundays and federal holidays in unincorporated ...
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