Nevada County, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Nevada County, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Overnight window
- 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. (most restrictive)
- Residential night limit
- 45 dBA Leq exterior (Table 9.1)
- Rural night limit
- 40 dBA Leq exterior (Table 9.1)
- General noise enforcement
- Sheriff, 530-265-1471 (Penal Code 415)
- Source
- General Plan Ch. 9 / LUDC Sec. L-II 4.1.7
Summary
Unincorporated Nevada County has no classic curfew-style quiet-hours ordinance. Instead the General Plan Noise Element sets time-based exterior noise limits that tighten at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), and general after-hours disturbances are enforced by the Sheriff under California law.
Policy 9.1.2: The following noise standards contained in Table 9.1 below, as performance standards and land use compatibility standards, shall apply to all discretionary and ministerial projects excluding permitted residential (including tentative maps) land uses.
TABLE 9.1 NOISE STANDARDS - Exterior Noise Limits (Noise Level, dBA Leq / Lmax): Rural ("A1" "TPZ" "AE" "OS" "FR" "IDR") - 7 am - 7 pm: 55 / 75; 7 pm - 10 pm: 50 / 65; 10 pm - 7 am: 40 / 55. Residential and Public ("RA" "R2" "R1" "R3" "P") - 7 am - 7 pm: 55 / 75; 7 pm - 10 pm: 50 / 65; 10 pm - 7 am: 45 / 60. Commercial and Recreation ("C1" "CH" "CS" "C2" "C3" "OP" "REC") - 7 am - 7 pm: 70 / 90; 7 pm - 7 am: 65 / 75. Business Park ("BP") - 7 am - 7 pm: 65 / 85; 7 pm - 7 am: 60 / 70. Industrial ("M1" "M2") - any time: 80 / 90.
a. Compliance with the above standards shall be determined by measuring the noise level based on the mean average of not less than three (3) 20 minute measurements for any given time period. Additional noise measurements may be necessary to ensure that the ambient noise level is adequately determined.
b. Where two different zoning districts abut, the standard applicable to the lower, or more restrictive, district plus 5 dBA shall apply.
c. The above standards shall be measured only on property containing a noise sensitive land use as defined in Policy 9.8 and may be measured anywhere on the property containing said land use.
d. If the measured ambient level exceeds that permitted, then the allowable noise exposure standard shall be set at 5 dBA above the ambient.
g. The standards of this policy shall be enforced through compliance inspections and/or complaints.
Full Breakdown
7). m. For example, in residential zones the daytime exterior limit is 55 dBA (Leq) dropping to 45 dBA (Leq) overnight; in rural zones it falls to 40 dBA overnight. These are land-use performance standards measured on the property of a noise-sensitive use, not a household 'quiet hours' rule. For everyday neighbor noise and late-night disturbances, the County FAQ directs residents to the Nevada County Sheriff's Department (530-265-1471) under 'Noise Issues/Disturbing the Peace,' which is enforced through California Penal Code Section 415 (loud and unreasonable noise). Land-use noise violations are handled by the Code Compliance Division, which seeks voluntary compliance before citation.
Violations & Fines
General nighttime disturbances are handled by the Sheriff under California Penal Code Section 415. Land-use noise-standard violations go to the County Code Compliance Division, which seeks voluntary compliance and can issue citations and refer non-compliance to Nevada County Superior Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unincorporated Nevada County have set quiet hours?
Who do I call about a noisy neighbor at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
How Nevada County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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