Petaluma, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Petaluma, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Code
- Petaluma IZO §21.040 (Table 21.1)
- Adjusted Ceiling
- Never exceeds 75 dBA
- Designation
- Petaluma is a 'quiet city'
Summary
Petaluma is declared a 'quiet city' by IZO §21.040. No person may cause a source of sound that, when measured at the affected property line in open/outdoor space, exceeds the dBA limits in Table 21.1.
No person shall cause or allow to cause, any source of sound at any location within the incorporated City or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person, which when measured on the property where the noise disturbance is being experienced within public or private open/outdoor spaces, exceeds the noise level of Table 21.1... If the measured ambient level is greater than 60dB, the Maximum Noise Exposure standard shall be adjusted in 5dB increments... in no case shall the maximum allowed threshold exceed 75dB after adjustments are made.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The maximum noise exposure standards apply across residential, commercial, mixed-use, and industrial districts. If the existing ambient level already exceeds 60 dB, the maximum allowed threshold is adjusted in 5 dB increments per time period, but the adjusted ceiling never exceeds 75 dB. Standards are differentiated by daytime and nighttime periods, with stricter limits applying overnight. Enforcement is handled by the Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Noise violations are public nuisances enforceable under Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 1.10 (Code Enforcement) and Ch. 1.14 (Administrative Citations). First offenses typically trigger a warning notice; continuing violations carry administrative fines and abatement orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the dB limits measured?
What if my neighborhood is already noisy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Petaluma
How Petaluma compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Petaluma to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.