Quiet hours in Santa Clara, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Santa Clara enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM weekdays and 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 9.10, with exterior noise limits measured at the property line.
Santa Clara City Code Chapter 9.10 (Noise Control Ordinance) establishes exterior noise standards for residential zones. The nighttime quiet period runs 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM Monday through Friday and extends to 9:00 AM on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. During these hours, exterior noise levels at residential property lines must not exceed 50 dBA. Daytime limits are 55 dBA in residential zones. Violations include loud parties, stereo systems, barking dogs, mechanical equipment, and any noise that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. First violations typically result in a warning; repeat offenses within one year can escalate to administrative citations of 100 dollars, 200 dollars, and 500 dollars respectively. Enforcement is handled by the Santa Clara Police Department non-emergency line at (408) 615-4700, and code enforcement handles ongoing nuisance complaints.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle quiet hours.
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