Sonoma, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Sonoma County uses a two-track noise framework. Chapter 3, Article III of the Sonoma County Code (Sections 3-41 through 3-46) sets out the general 'Noise Control' regulations - a person who, after notice from the Sheriff or a code enforcement officer, continues to make or permit loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that disturbs the peace, quiet, or comfort of neighbors may be cited for an infraction or misdemeanor. The substantive numeric standards live in the General Plan Noise Element Table NE-2, which Permit Sonoma applies through the use-permit process and which the County Counsel and Sheriff treat as the controlling benchmark in nuisance enforcement. Table NE-2 establishes hourly statistical noise standards measured at the exterior property line of a noise-sensitive receiver - typically a residence: daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) L50 = 50 dBA, L25 = 55 dBA, L08 = 60 dBA, L02 = 65 dBA; nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) L50 = 45 dBA, L25 = 50 dBA, L08 = 55 dBA, L02 = 60 dBA. The L50 is the level exceeded 50% of any hour (30 minutes), L25 is 15 minutes, L08 is roughly 5 minutes, and L02 is roughly 72 seconds, so the standard tightens for sustained noise and is more permissive for brief peaks. Where the existing ambient noise level already exceeds these standards, the limit becomes the ambient level - common along the Highway 101 corridor through Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Windsor, Healdsburg, and Cloverdale and along SR 12 through the Sonoma Valley. The County's noise framework covers all unincorporated communities including Bodega Bay, Bloomfield, Boyes Hot Springs, Camp Meeker, Cazadero, Eldridge, Forestville, Freestone, Fulton, Geyserville, Glen Ellen, Graton, Guerneville, Jenner, Kenwood, Larkfield-Wikiup, Mark West Springs, Monte Rio, Occidental, Penngrove, Roseland (annexed to Santa Rosa in 2017), Salmon Creek, Sea Ranch, Stewarts Point, Timber Cove, Two Rock, Valley Ford, and Vineburg, plus the Russian River resort corridor. The incorporated cities of Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Sebastopol, Cotati, and the City of Sonoma each have their own noise ordinances; the County rules apply only outside city limits. Special noise rules apply to winery and vineyard tasting-room events under Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning) - the December 9, 2025 Winery Events Ordinance amendments (effective June 9, 2026) cap periodic special events at 2,500 attendees, require amplified outdoor music to be set back at least 1,600 feet from adjacent property lines, acoustic music at least 625 feet, and parking lots at least 450 feet, and require all events to comply with the General Plan Noise Element limits. Cannabis cultivation and processing operations also have specific noise-analysis requirements under the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance. Loud-party and amplified-music complaints in unincorporated areas are dispatched to the Sonoma County Sheriff (non-emergency 707-565-2511); chronic or land-use related noise complaints go to Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement (707-565-1900).