Sutter County, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Article 21.5 of the Sutter County Zoning Code, adopted by ordinance of 6-28-2022, exists to protect the health and safety of County residents from the harmful effects of exposure to excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise. Section 1500-21.5-050 turns that purpose into numbers. Table 1500-21.5-1 splits the day into a Daytime period from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and a Nighttime period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The hourly equivalent sound level (Leq) cannot exceed 55 dBA by day or 45 dBA at night, and the maximum level cannot exceed 70 dBA by day or 65 dBA at night.

The limit protects the receiving property, not the noise maker's own lot. Subsection A makes it unlawful to create any noise that pushes the level on a noise sensitive receiving property over the table, and subsection D applies the standard at that property line, measured no more than one foot or as close as practicable inside it. Noise sensitive uses include residences, schools, motels and hotels, libraries, religious institutions, hospitals and nursing homes. Under section 1500-21.5-040 the reading comes from a sound level meter that meets ANSI Standard S1.4-1971 for Type 2 meters and is calibrated immediately before any sound data is recorded, with the microphone five feet above ground and at least four feet from walls where feasible.

Two adjustments tighten the table. Subsection B reduces each limit by 5 dBA for recurring impulsive noise, simple or pure tone noise, and noises consisting of speech or music, so music, voices and sounds such as a back-up alarm or hammering are judged against lower numbers. Subsection C lets the County impose standards up to 5 dBA below the table where existing ambient noise levels near the receiving property are low.

The Exceptions section (printed as 1500-21.50-070) exempts listed activities from the whole article. Authorized events such as weddings, fairs and festivals qualify between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. if they do not exceed an Leq of 65 dBA measured at any point on the property line over any 30 minute period. Private recreation, including off-road vehicles and pleasure motor boats, qualifies from 7:00 a.m. to sunset under the same 65 dBA test. Residential property maintenance qualifies from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. Public parks and school grounds qualify from 7:00 a.m. to sunset for unlighted facilities and until 10:00 p.m. for lighted facilities.