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Alameda · Building on your lot

Noise and construction hours in Alameda

Alameda's own rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text for every value.

Each rule below links to the section of the Alameda Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Alameda's code says

Alameda code What Alameda's code adds
Construction hours on weekdays
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    Applies: Only construction that needs a City permit; not emergency work, work with a City Manager hardship exception, or work on your own residence or rental.
    § 4-10.5 · code text
    Construction other than during the following hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Fridays
Construction hours on weekends and holidays
  • 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays; the code gives no Sunday hours.
    Applies: Only construction that needs a City permit; not emergency work, work with a City Manager hardship exception, or work on your own residence or rental.
    § 4-10.5 · code text
    and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Noise limit at homes
  • 55 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 1: may not be exceeded for 30 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 1* | 30 | 55 | 50 |
  • 50 dB(A) at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 1: may not be exceeded for 30 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 1* | 30 | 55 | 50 |
  • 60 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 2: may not be exceeded for 15 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 2 | 15 | 60 | 55 |
  • 55 dB(A) at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 2: may not be exceeded for 15 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 2 | 15 | 60 | 55 |
  • 65 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 3: may not be exceeded for 5 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 3 | 5 | 65 | 60 |
  • 60 dB(A) at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 3: may not be exceeded for 5 minutes in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 3 | 5 | 65 | 60 |
  • 70 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 4: may not be exceeded for 1 minute in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 4 | 1 | 70 | 65 |
  • 65 dB(A) at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 4: may not be exceeded for 1 minute in any hour.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 4 | 1 | 70 | 65 |
  • 75 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., never to be exceeded.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 5.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 5 | 0 | 75 | 70 |
  • 70 dB(A) at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., never to be exceeded.
    Applies: At residential property, Category 5.
    § 4-10.4 · code text
    | 5 | 0 | 75 | 70 |
  • Outdoor noise may not exceed 55 dB(A).
    Applies: Home air conditioning or refrigeration equipment installed before this section took effect.
    § 4-10.5 · code text
    the exterior noise level shall not exceed fifty-five (55) dB(A).
  • Outdoor noise may not exceed 50 dB(A).
    Applies: Home air conditioning or refrigeration equipment installed after this section took effect.
    § 4-10.5 · code text
    The exterior noise level shall not exceed fifty (50) dB(A) for such equipment installed after the effective date of this section.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Alameda?

Alameda's code: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Only construction that needs a City permit; not emergency work, work with a City Manager hardship exception, or work on your own residence or rental.) (§ 4-10.5); 55 dB(A) in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (At residential property, Category 1: may not be exceeded for 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 4-10.4).

General information, not legal advice.

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