The Resolution Path
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The Resolution Path
Step 1 of 3Fontana, CA
Noise Ordinance Overview
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Official Decibel Limits
volume_up"The City discourages noise-sensitive uses in areas exceeding 65 dBA CNEL (Community Noise Equivalent Level) for residential, hospitals, rest homes, and long-term care facilities, and 65 Leq(12) for schools, libraries, places of worship, and passive recreation uses. Resource extraction operations have a noise standard plus 20 dB(A), with adjustments based on ambient levels."
AI Executive Summary
Fontana, CA noise ordinances, primarily Fontana Municipal Code Chapter 18, prohibit loud, excessive, impulsive, or intrusive sound disturbing ordinary sensibilities. Specific restrictions govern construction hours (7 AM-6 PM weekdays, 8 AM-5 PM Saturdays), amplified sound from vehicles and aircraft, and animal noises. Violations can result in infractions, misdemeanors, or administrative fines, including escalating civil penalties for repeated unruly gatherings.
Specific Noise Restrictions
Construction
The erection, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building or structure (including excavating) is generally prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Work outside these hours requires a permit for urgent necessity. The operation of piledrivers, steam shovels, pneumatic hammers, derricks, steam or electric hoists, or other noise-creating appliances is prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Amplified Sound
The use or operation of any radio, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or other device creating loud, excessive, impulsive, or intrusive noise that annoys or disturbs persons of ordinary sensibilities is unlawful. Noncommercial use of sound trucks is limited to music or human speech and permitted for four hours daily between 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., with no operations on Sundays and legal holidays. Sound trucks must operate at least 10 mph (except when stopped by traffic for no more than one minute), and sound cannot be issued within 100 yards of hospitals, schools, churches, or courthouses. Volume must not be audible over 100 feet from the truck and not exceed 15 watts of power. Commercial advertising by aircraft with sound amplifying equipment has similar time restrictions and conditions, including a minimum altitude of 1,500 feet and directional sound.
Animals
Keeping or permitting any animal to habitually bark, whine, or make loud, excessive, impulsive, or intrusive noises that disturb the peace and quiet of neighbors is unlawful. Barking dog investigations can be reported to Police Dispatch.
Vehicles
Using any vehicle out of repair or loaded/used in a manner that creates loud, excessive, impulsive, or intrusive and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, or other noise is prohibited. Creating loud, excessive, impulsive, or intrusive noise during the loading or unloading of vehicles or the opening/destruction of containers is also prohibited. Transportation of metal rails, pillars, or columns loaded to cause excessive noise is unlawful. All noise sections of the State Motor Vehicle Code are enforced. Inoperable vehicles on the street and trailers on the street should be reported to Non-Emergency Dispatch. Commercial vehicles are restricted from parking in residential areas except for loading/unloading.
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