Quiet hours in South Gate, CA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
South Gate Municipal Code Chapter 7.44 makes any 'offensive portable noise emission' a public nuisance and a misdemeanor at any hour. Electronic entertainment devices (radio, TV, stereo) audible beyond 225 feet from the source are unlawful, as are parties of two or more people audible 30 feet beyond the property line. On-private-property noise is governed separately by Chapter 11.34 (Noise Control Program), administered by a noise control officer.
South Gate's noise code is split between two chapters. Chapter 7.44 covers 'portable noise emissions' on public property, on private property opened to the public (churches, parks, shopping centers, theaters), and noise made on private property by someone not under the property owner's direction (§7.44.020.01). An 'offensive portable noise emission' (§7.44.020.02) is defined three ways: (a) any intentional noise with no significant social value beyond entertainment that causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities; (b) any radio, TV, record player, tape/video recorder or other electronic entertainment device audible more than 225 feet from the source OR exceeding posted 'slowed' decibel levels (70 dB at 10 ft, 68 dB at 15 ft, 65 dB at 20 ft, 62 dB at 25 ft, 60 dB at 30 ft, 58 dB at 35 ft); (c) any party or gathering of two or more people audible 30 feet beyond the property boundary. Chapter 7.44 applies 24/7 — there are no carve-outs for daytime. Noise made by lawful possessors on their own private property (e.g., a homeowner playing loud music in the backyard) falls under Chapter 11.34 Noise Control Program (Title 11 Zoning), enforced by a designated noise control officer per §11.34.060. State law (Cal. Civ. Code §3479) also defines unreasonable noise as a private nuisance independently.
Violation of Chapter 7.44 is a misdemeanor under §7.44.050(a), with each hour the noise continues treated as a separate offense, punishable per Chapter 1.56. Penalties under §11.34.100 also apply. Enforcement under §7.44.060 is shared between the noise control officer (defined in §11.34.060), the chief of police, any city police officer, or other police designee.
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