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Noise and construction hours in San Rafael

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

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

What San Rafael's code says

San Rafael code What San Rafael's code adds
Construction hours on weekdays
  • Construction is allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Applies: Construction projects, Monday to Friday; noise outside the property no more than 90 dBA.
    § 8.13.050 · code text
    construction, alteration, demolition, maintenance of construction equipment, deliveries of materials or equipment, or repair activities otherwise allowed under applicable law shall be allowed between the hours of seven a.m. (7:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday
  • Allowed only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    Applies: Home power tools and owners' own home projects, Monday to Friday; noise past the property no more than 90 dBA.
    § 8.13.050 · code text
    shall be allowed between the hours of eight a.m. (8:00 a.m.) and eight p.m. (8:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday
Construction hours on weekends and holidays
  • Construction is allowed 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and not on Sundays or holidays.
    Applies: Construction projects.
    § 8.13.050 · code text
    nine a.m. (9:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) on Saturdays, provided that the noise level at any point outside of the property plane of the project shall not exceed ninety (90) dBA. All such activities shall be precluded on Sundays and holidays.
  • Allowed only from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Applies: Home power tools and owners' own home projects; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
    § 8.13.050 · code text
    nine a.m. (9:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Leaf blowers and equipment
  • Allowed 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends and holidays, noise at most 90 dBA.
    Applies: Applies to residential power equipment and owners' construction to maintain or improve their property; 90 dBA is measured beyond the property plane.
    § 8.13.050 · code text
    Residential power equipment, and construction activities undertaken by residential property owners to maintain or improve their property, shall be allowed between the hours of eight a.m. (8:00 a.m.) and eight p.m. (8:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, and nine a.m. (9:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, providing such equipment and/or activities do not produce a noise level that exceeds ninety (90) dBA
Noise limit at homes
  • The limit is 60 dBA for intermittent noise.
    Applies: Residential property, daytime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    Daytime: 60 dBA intermittent
  • The limit is 50 dBA for constant noise.
    Applies: Residential property, daytime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    50 dBA constant
  • The limit is 50 dBA for intermittent noise.
    Applies: Residential property, nighttime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    Nighttime: 50 dBA intermittent
  • The limit is 40 dBA for constant noise.
    Applies: Residential property, nighttime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    40 dBA constant
  • The limit is 40 dBA for intermittent noise.
    Applies: Inside a multi-family building, noise from another unit through a shared wall, floor or ceiling; daytime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    Daytime: 40 dBA intermittent
  • The limit is 35 dBA for constant noise.
    Applies: Inside a multi-family building, noise from another unit through a shared wall, floor or ceiling; daytime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    35 dBA constant
  • The limit is 35 dBA for intermittent noise.
    Applies: Inside a multi-family building, noise from another unit through a shared wall, floor or ceiling; nighttime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    Nighttime: 35 dBA intermittent
  • The limit is 30 dBA for constant noise.
    Applies: Inside a multi-family building, noise from another unit through a shared wall, floor or ceiling; nighttime.
    § 8.13.040 · code text
    30 dBA constant

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the noise rules and construction hours in San Rafael?

San Rafael's code: Construction is allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Construction projects, Monday to Friday; noise outside the property no more than 90 dBA.) (§ 8.13.050); The limit is 60 dBA for intermittent noise. (Residential property, daytime.) (§ 8.13.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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