Noise Ordinances in California

Quiet Hours

California doesn't set a single statewide noise standard — each city writes its own ordinance. That said, most California cities follow a similar pattern: quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM and daytime residential limits between 55 and 65 dB. The state Health and Safety Code gives cities broad authority to regulate noise, and CalTrans maintains standards for traffic noise exposure that influence zoning near highways. Coastal cities tend to have stricter rules due to higher residential density and tourism-related noise. Inland cities are generally more lenient. The biggest variation is in enforcement: LA relies on police response, San Diego uses Environmental Services, and San Francisco runs complaints through the Department of Public Health.