San Leandro, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in San Leandro, 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 window
- 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Audibility test
- Plainly audible at 50 feet is prima facie violation
- Ambient standard
- More than 5 decibels above ambient is a violation
- Daytime rule
- Loud, raucous noise disturbing neighbors unlawful anytime
- Separate curfews
- Motors 9pm-8am (c); park amplified sound 10pm-9am (d)
- Enforcement
- Public nuisance abatement, Section 4-1-1130
Summary
San Leandro sets a 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. curfew on radios, TVs, stereos and musical instruments under Municipal Code Section 4-1-1115(e)(1): running that equipment during those hours so it's plainly audible 50 feet from the source is automatic evidence of a noise violation, on top of the general ban on loud, raucous noise at any time of day.
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television set, audio equipment, drum, musical instrument, or similar device which produces or reproduces loud and raucous noise at any time of day in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring residents or persons of normal sensitivity. The operation of any such instrument, audio equipment, television set, machine or similar device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4967405; v8 updated 2026-07-06).
Full Breakdown
San Leandro's general nighttime noise curfew lives in Section 4-1-1115(e)(1) of the Noise Ordinance. At any hour of the day, operating a radio, television, audio equipment, drum, musical instrument or similar device so that it produces loud and raucous noise disturbing the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring residents is already unlawful under the section's opening clause. , though, the City does not need to prove disturbance case by case: if the equipment is plainly audible from 50 feet away from the building, structure or vehicle where it is located, that alone is prima facie evidence of a violation.
A companion clause reaches quieter nighttime noise too, treating any sound that exceeds the ambient noise level on a neighboring occupied property, or within an adjoining condominium, apartment or attached-business unit, by more than five decibels as a violation regardless of the 50-foot test. under subsection (d). , while an uncured nighttime violation is enforced as a public nuisance under Section 4-1-1130.
Violations & Fines
A nighttime stereo or TV audible 50 feet away between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. is presumed to violate Section 4-1-1115(e)(1) without further proof of disturbance, and San Leandro Police can cite on that basis alone. The City enforces the curfew as a public nuisance under Section 4-1-1130 and Chapter 1-12; there's no set fine schedule in the ordinance, but repeated calls can escalate to formal nuisance abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I have to turn my music down in San Leandro?
Is there a decibel number for nighttime noise, or just a complaint standard?
Does the 10 p.m. curfew apply to lawn equipment and car stereos too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
How San Leandro compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Quiet Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle quiet hours.