Quiet hours in Orange County, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Orange County Codified Ordinances Division 6 (Sections 4-6-1 through 4-6-16) regulates noise in unincorporated areas. Residential exterior noise limits are 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime, measured at the affected property line. The entire county is designated Noise Zone 1.
Under OCCO Section 4-6-5, exterior noise standards in unincorporated residential areas are 55 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM. It is unlawful for noise to exceed these limits for more than 30 cumulative minutes in any hour, or the limit plus 5 dBA for more than 15 cumulative minutes. If the noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, or music, a 5 dBA penalty reduction applies to the standard. The OC Sheriff, County Health Officer, and County Building Official are authorized to enforce the noise ordinance in unincorporated communities such as Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, and Midway City. Violations are reported via the Neighborhood Preservation Hotline at 714-667-8853.
OCCO Section 4-6-15: any violation is a misdemeanor. Enforcement officers are authorized to arrest without warrant under Penal Code Section 836.5 when they have reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred.
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