Tuolumne County, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Unlike many California jurisdictions, the unincorporated areas of Tuolumne County (communities such as Groveland, Twain Harte, Tuolumne, Columbia, Jamestown, Soulsbyville, Mi-Wuk Village, Pine Mountain Lake, Long Barn and Pinecrest) are not covered by a general noise ordinance with stated quiet hours. The county's official Frequently Asked Questions page states plainly that Tuolumne County does not have a noise ordinance. The county last explored adopting one in 2008, which the planning commission denied, and revived the discussion in 2024 after complaints linked to short-term vacation rentals; as of the most recent reporting that ordinance was still in development and not adopted. Because no local quiet-hours window exists, late-night noise is addressed through state law. The Sheriff's Office can cite a person for disturbing the peace under California Penal Code section 415, but officials have acknowledged staffing limits and the difficulty of defining what qualifies. Residents experiencing recurring nighttime noise should contact the Sheriff's Office for an active disturbance, and may also check whether a specific property carries noise-related conditions attached to a development or use permit. (Note: the incorporated City of Sonora sets its own rules and is not covered here.)