Quiet hours in San Mateo, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
San Mateo's noise ordinance (SMMC Ch. 7.30) uses a tiered time-based decibel standard. Nighttime limits are stricter than daytime. Pool equipment exceeding 35 dBA must be 25 feet from neighbors or enclosed.
San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 7.30 establishes a tiered noise standard: noise may not exceed the applicable noise level standard for more than 30 minutes/hour; exceed it by 5 dB for more than 15 minutes/hour; exceed it by 10 dB for more than 5 minutes/hour; exceed it by 15 dB for more than 1 minute/hour; or exceed it by 20 dB at any time. If ambient exceeds the standard, ambient becomes the baseline. Pool equipment louder than 35 dBA must be placed 25 feet from neighbors or enclosed. Quiet hours for most residential zones are 10 PM to 7 AM. The Police Department and Code Enforcement both enforce noise complaints.
First offense warning or citation. Fines typically $100 to $500. Repeat violations may result in misdemeanor charges.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Mateo County.
See how other cities in San Mateo County handle quiet hours.
See how San Mateo's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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