Placer County, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Placer 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
- Code section
- Placer County Code Art. 9.36
- Nighttime quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 45 dB Leq / 65 dB Lmax
- Daytime limit
- 55 dB Leq / 70 dB Lmax
- First fine
- $100 (then $200, $500)
Summary
In unincorporated Placer County, Placer County Code Article 9.36 sets nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During nighttime, the on-site sound limit at a sensitive receptor's property line drops to 45 dB hourly Leq (70/65 dB Lmax day/night).
It is unlawful for any person at any location to create any sound... that: 1. Causes the exterior sound level when measured at the property line of any affected sensitive receptor to exceed the ambient sound level by five dBA; or 2. Exceeds the sound level standards as set forth in Table 1, whichever is the greater. Daytime (7 am to 10 pm) Hourly Leq 55 dB / Lmax 70 dB; Nighttime (10 pm to 7 am) Hourly Leq 45 dB / Lmax 65 dB.
Full Breakdown
The Placer County Noise Ordinance (Placer County Code Chapter 9, Article 9.36, Ord. 5280-B, effective March 9, 2004) governs unincorporated communities such as Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Granite Bay, North Auburn, Foresthill, Meadow Vista and Penryn. Section 9.36.060 Table 1 sets 'Sound Level Standards (On-site)' measured at the property line of a sensitive receptor: daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) hourly Leq of 55 dB and maximum (Lmax) of 70 dB; nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) hourly Leq of 45 dB and Lmax of 65 dB. It is also a violation to exceed the ambient sound level by more than 5 dBA. Under 9.36.060(B), the standard is reduced by an additional 5 dB for 'simple tone' noise consisting of speech and music. 'Sensitive receptor' includes single-family and multi-family homes, schools, hospitals, churches and libraries (9.36.020). The ordinance supplements California Penal Code Sections 370 and 415.
Violations & Fines
Per 9.36.090, violations are infractions, and each day is a separate offense. Section 9.36.110 sets administrative fines of $100 (first citation), $200 (second), and $500 (third and subsequent); 9.36.170 adds a 20% late-payment charge. Report noise in unincorporated Placer County to the Placer County Sheriff's Office (a designated enforcement officer under 9.36.020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the quiet hours in unincorporated Placer County?
How is noise measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placer County
How Placer County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Placer County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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