Colusa County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Colusa County does not publish a short-term-rental-specific noise ordinance. Noise from a rental is generally addressed as a public nuisance and through the Zoning Code's land-use compatibility standards rather than a numeric decibel cap in the STR context. The Zoning Code defines 'sensitive receptors' as land uses 'sensitive to noise, such as a school, library, church, group of homes or residences, and/or hospital,' which establishes that protecting neighboring residences from noise is a County land-use concern. The home-occupation and cottage-food standards reinforce a no-nuisance approach - a home occupation must produce 'no evidence of its existence upon or beyond the premises such as... noise, smoke, odors, vibrations,' and cottage-food deliveries are barred between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. For lodging uses, the most directly relevant control is on events: under Sections 44-4.100.010(F) and 44-4.100.040(5), ancillary activities such as weddings, receptions or fund raisers attended by non-guests are allowed only with a Conditional Use Permit or Temporary Use Permit, subject to conditions that 'restrict the number of people attending and offset other related impacts, in order to maintain the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood' - conditions that commonly include noise and hours limits. Beyond zoning, persistent loud noise can be enforced as a nuisance and may fall under the Sheriff's general disturbance authority. Confirm current local noise and nuisance provisions with the County before hosting events.