Santa Ana Quiet Hours Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Santa Ana Municipal Code Chapter 18 addresses noise disturbances throughout the city, with particular emphasis on protecting residential neighborhoods during nighttime hours. The quiet hours period — 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on weekends and holidays — reflects the city's recognition that its densely populated residential areas, many of which feature multi-family housing and smaller lot sizes, are especially sensitive to nighttime noise intrusions. During these hours, any sound that is plainly audible at a neighboring dwelling and that would disturb a reasonable person constitutes a violation.

Santa Ana's dense urban core means that noise travels easily between properties, particularly in the central city neighborhoods surrounding Downtown and along major corridors like Bristol Street and First Street. Common quiet-hour complaints include loud parties with amplified music, vehicle stereo systems, engine revving, power tool usage, and barking dogs. The Municipal Code does not require a decibel measurement for quiet-hour enforcement; officers can cite based on the "reasonable person" standard, meaning that if the noise would disturb a person of ordinary sensibility in their home, it is a violation.

Residents who experience noise disturbances during quiet hours should call the Santa Ana Police Department's non-emergency line at (714) 245-8665. For persistent or recurring noise problems during business hours, Code Enforcement at (714) 667-2780 can open an investigation and issue administrative citations. The city encourages residents to document the time, duration, and type of noise before reporting to assist with enforcement.