San Diego, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in San Diego, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Curfew
- 10pm to 8am citywide
- Trigger
- audible 50 feet away
- Covers
- radios, stereos, speakers
- Construction separate
- 7pm-7am limit applies
Summary
Any sound device played loud enough to be heard 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. is automatically treated as an unlawful disturbing noise under SDMC §59.5.0502(b)(2)(A), giving San Diego a citywide 10-to-8 noise curfew.
The operation of any such sound production or reproduction device, radio receiving set, musical instrument, drum, phonograph, television set, machine, loud speaker and sound amplifier or similar machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly
audible at a distance of fifty feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which it is located.
(B) The operation of any sound amplifier, which is part of, or connected to, any radio, stereo receiver, compact disc player, cassette tape player, or other similar device when operated in
Ch. Art. Div. 5 9.5 5 2 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5: Public Safety, Morals and Welfare (6-2000)
such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of fifty
(50) feet and when operated in such a manner as to cause a person to be aware of vibration accompanying the sound at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the source.
(3) Enforcement of Prima Facie Violations
(A) Any person who is authorized to enforce the provisions of this
Full Breakdown
SDMC §59.5.0502(b)(2)(A) creates a nighttime evidentiary standard: operating any sound-production device, radio, TV, stereo, musical instrument, loudspeaker, between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so that it is 'plainly audible at a distance of fifty feet' from the source is prima facie evidence of a noise violation, without the complainant separately proving disturbance. The same prima facie rule applies any time of day if the sound causes noticeable vibration at 50 feet. Construction work faces its own, stricter 7 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew under SDMC §59.5.0404.
Violations & Fines
A prima facie nighttime violation is enforceable as a noise infraction or misdemeanor and lets officers confiscate the offending sound equipment as evidence under §59.5.0502(b)(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do San Diego's noise rules get stricter at night?
Does the nighttime curfew cover all noise, not just music?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
How San Diego compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Quiet Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle quiet hours.