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Noise and construction hours in Sacramento

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

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

What Sacramento's code says

Sacramento code What Sacramento's code adds
Noise limit at homes
  • 55 dBA outdoors from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    Applies: At residential or agricultural property; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.
    § 8.68.060 · code text
    From seven a.m. to ten p.m. the exterior noise standard shall be fifty-five (55) dBA.
  • 50 dBA outdoors from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    Applies: At residential or agricultural property; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.
    § 8.68.060 · code text
    From ten p.m. to seven a.m. the exterior noise standard shall be fifty (50) dBA.
  • 45 dBA may not be exceeded for more than 5 minutes total in any hour, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    Applies: Noise from one unit measured in a neighboring apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex.
    § 8.68.070 · code text
    Forty-five (45) dBA for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour;
  • 50 dBA may not be exceeded for more than 1 minute total in any hour, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    Applies: Noise from one unit measured in a neighboring apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex.
    § 8.68.070 · code text
    Fifty (50) dBA for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour;
  • 55 dBA may not be exceeded at any time, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    Applies: Noise from one unit measured in a neighboring apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex.
    § 8.68.070 · code text
    Fifty-five (55) dBA for any period of time.
Leaf blowers and equipment
  • No more than 60 dBA, at least 1 foot inside the neighbor's property line.
    Applies: Home fans, air conditioners and pumps installed after the chapter took effect.
    § 8.68.110 · code text
    Sixty (60) dBA at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected residential or agricultural property and three to five feet above ground level;
  • No more than 55 dBA in the center of a neighboring patio.
    Applies: Home fans, air conditioners and pumps installed after the chapter took effect.
    § 8.68.110 · code text
    Fifty-five (55) dBA in the center of a neighboring patio three to five feet above ground level;
  • No more than 55 dBA outside the nearest neighboring living-area window.
    Applies: Home fans, air conditioners and pumps installed after the chapter took effect.
    § 8.68.110 · code text
    Fifty-five (55) dBA outside of the neighboring living area window nearest the equipment location, measurements shall be taken with the microphone not more than three feet from the window opening but at least three feet from any other surface.
  • No more than 55 dBA, at least 1 foot inside the neighbor's property line.
    Applies: Home fans, air conditioners and pumps installed 5 years after the chapter took effect.
    § 8.68.110 · code text
    Equipment installed five years after the effective date of this chapter must comply with a maximum limit of fifty-five (55) dBA at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected residential or agricultural property and three to five feet above ground level.
  • No more than 65 dBA, at least 1 foot inside the neighbor's property line.
    Applies: Home fans, air conditioners and pumps installed before the chapter took effect.
    § 8.68.110 · code text
    Equipment installed before the effective date of this chapter must comply with a limit of sixty-five (65) dBA maximum sound level, at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected agricultural or residential property and three to five feet above ground level after the effective date of this chapter.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Sacramento?

Sacramento's code: 55 dBA outdoors from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (At residential or agricultural property; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.68.060); 50 dBA outdoors from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (At residential or agricultural property; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.68.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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