Quiet hours in Santa Barbara, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
The City of Santa Barbara's own noise ordinance (SBMC Chapter 9.16) bars any noise disturbance plainly audible 50 feet from the source. Radios, TVs, music players and instruments cannot create a disturbance audible across a residential or commercial property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The City of Santa Barbara, an incorporated city and the county seat, enforces its OWN noise rules under Santa Barbara Municipal Code (SBMC) Chapter 9.16 — not Santa Barbara County's code, which governs only the unincorporated areas around the city. The City recodified Chapter 9.16 in February 2016. Section 9.16.020 (Noise Disturbance Prohibited) sets the core citywide standard: 'No person shall make, continue or cause to be made or continued... any noise disturbance in such a manner as to be plainly audible by a person of ordinary sensitivity at a distance of 50 feet from the noise source.' Section 9.16.030 (Specific Conduct Prohibited) then sets a nighttime window: under 9.16.030(A)(1) it is unlawful to operate or play any radio, television set, music player, drum, musical instrument or similar device between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so as to create a noise disturbance audible across a residential or commercial real property line. Under 9.16.030(A)(2) the same 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. limit applies to loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems across a residential property line — extended to 1:30 a.m. on the night before New Year's Day. Section 9.16.010 (Generally) also prohibits unnecessary noise physically annoying to persons of ordinary sensitiveness, and lists factors (volume, duration, time of day, zoning, proximity to sleeping areas) officers weigh in deciding whether to cite.
Noise violations are enforced under SBMC 9.16.110 (Enforcement) and 9.16.120. In February 2016 the City Council adopted an administrative fine schedule of $350 for a first violation, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third. Persistent violations can also be abated as a public nuisance by injunction under Section 9.16.120. To report an active disturbance such as loud music, the City directs residents to Police Department Dispatch at (805) 882-8900.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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