Sec. 26-88-120(f) sets quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and applies General Plan noise standards (for example, an L50 limit of 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA during quiet hours). Outdoor amplified sound is banned at all times. Standards drop 5 dBA for speech, music, or barking.
Sonoma County imposes detailed acoustic limits. Sec. 26-88-120(f)(1) sets quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and applies the General Plan hourly noise metrics: an L50 (exceeded 30 minutes per hour) of 50 dBA during activity hours and 45 dBA during quiet hours; an L25 of 55/50 dBA; an L08 of 60/55 dBA; and an L02 (one minute per hour) of 65/60 dBA. The applicable standards are reduced by 5 dBA for simple-tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or recurring impulsive noises such as dog barking. Where ambient noise already exceeds the standard, the limit may be adjusted up to the ambient level, but no measurable increase of 1.5 dBA or more is permitted. Sec. 26-88-120(f)(2) prohibits outdoor amplified sound at any time in connection with a vacation rental. The owner must include the quiet hours and limits on outdoor activities in rental agreements and listings, and every online listing must note both the quiet hours and the no-amplified-sound rule under Sec. 26-88-120(f)(11). Pets, if allowed, must be secured and continual nuisance barking is prohibited under Sec. 26-88-120(f)(3).
Noise violations, use of outdoor amplified sound, violations of quiet hours, and unsecured pets or nuisance barking are all enumerated infractions under Sec. 26-88-120(g)(3), citable under Section 1-7.6. The certified property manager must respond within 60 minutes, or 30 minutes during quiet hours, and report the complaint to Permit Sonoma within 24 hours.
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