Santa Clara County, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Idling limit
- 15 min/hour near homes
- Restricted hours
- 10pm-7am
- Threshold weight
- Over 10,000 lbs GVWR
- Refuse truck cap
- 70-81 dBA by equipment age
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County bars idling a heavy truck or its auxiliary equipment for more than 15 minutes an hour within 150 feet of a residential area between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
No person will operate or permit the operation of any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 10,000 pounds, or any auxiliary equipment attached to a vehicle, for a period longer than 15 minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary, for reasons other than traffic congestion, on a public right-of-way or public space within 150 feet (46 meters) of a residential area between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day.(d)Motorized recreational vehicles operating off public right-of-way. No person will operate or cause to be operated any motorized recreational vehicle off a public right-of-way in a manner that the sound levels emitted will violate the provisions of Section B11-152. This section will apply to all motorized recreational vehicles, whether or not duly licensed and registered, including but not limited to commercial or noncommercial racing vehicles, motorcycles, go-carts, amphibious craft, campers, dune buggies and motorboats. (Ord. No. NS-517.72, § 2, 4-15-03)
Sec. B11-156. - Special provisions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance Code § B11-155(c) prohibits operating or idling any motor vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR, or attached auxiliary equipment, for more than 15 minutes in any hour on a public right-of-way or public space within 150 feet of a residential area between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., outside of traffic congestion. The same section limits refuse-truck compaction noise to as low as 70 dBA for newer equipment under § B11-155(a), bars vehicle, motorboat or aircraft repair and testing that disturbs a residential property line under § B11-155(b), and holds off-road recreational vehicles like dirt bikes and dune buggies to the county's general exterior noise limits under § B11-155(d). It applies only to unincorporated Santa Clara County.
Violations & Fines
Violating the idling or vehicle-noise limits is a code violation the county can seek to enjoin; knowingly defying that injunction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and five days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule cover a loud car stereo?
What about off-road vehicles like dirt bikes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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