Santa Monica, CA Quiet Hours & Noise Laws [2026]
When are quiet hours in Santa Monica, CA?
| Regulation | Details for Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|
| Quiet Hours | 10PM-7AM |
| Weekends | See specific hours above |
| Enforcement | Police Non-Emergency: (310) 458-8491 |
Generally, quiet behavior is expected from 10 PM to 8 AM. Amplified sound is restricted after 10 PM and before 7 AM on weekdays, or 8 AM on weekends, in certain public areas. Construction is prohibited before 8 AM or after 6 PM Monday-Friday, before 9 AM or after 5 PM on Saturday, and all day Sunday and holidays.
Strict noise limits typically apply during these times.
Santa Monica, CA Noise Rules
What is the noise ordinance in Santa Monica, CA?
Santa Monica, CA noise ordinances, primarily found in Municipal Code Chapter 4.12, prohibit unreasonable disturbances affecting peace and comfort. Specific restrictions apply to construction (e.g., Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM), amplified sound (e.g., not after 10 PM weekdays in Noise Zone I), and noisy animals (barking over five continuous minutes). The city generally emphasizes a subjective 'unreasonably disturb' standard.
Decibel Limit Comparison
| Zone Type | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Not specified | Not specified |
| Commercial | Not specified | Not specified |
Note: Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.12.060 addresses exterior noise standards across different Noise Zones, with adjustments for impulsive or simple tone noise, speech, or music. However, the specific base decibel limits for residential and commercial zones are not explicitly provided in the available snippets. The ordinance often relies on a 'unreasonably disturb the peace' standard, particularly in public spaces due to First Amendment considerations.
Specific Restrictions
- Construction:
General construction and demolition activities are prohibited before 8 AM or after 6 PM Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, work is not permitted before 9 AM or after 5 PM. All construction is prohibited on Sundays and on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. City of Santa Monica employees or public utilities have slightly different hours, typically 7 AM to 6 PM Monday-Friday. Activities involving particularly loud equipment like pile drivers or jackhammers are restricted to 10 AM to 3 PM Monday-Friday.
- Amplified Sound:
No person shall use or operate sound amplifying equipment in public parks, beaches, or recreational facilities after 10 PM and before 7 AM on weekdays, or 8 AM on weekends. Similar restrictions apply to public sidewalks, streets, alleys, or parkways in Noise Zone I during these hours. Stationary amplified sound in Noise Zone I public areas between 8 PM and 10 PM is limited to a single 45-minute period on more than two days in any seven-day period.
- Animals:
No person shall permit any animal under their control to bark, yell, or cry for more than five continuous minutes or for fifteen total minutes in any sixty-minute period. Animal Control may decline investigation of a complaint without a second complaint from another household about the same animal within 12 hours.
- Vehicles:
Not specified. The general regulation against unreasonably disturbing the peace may apply to excessively loud vehicle noise.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Monica, CA Noise Rules
What are the designated quiet hours in Santa Monica, CA?
Generally, quiet behavior is expected from 10 PM to 8 AM. Amplified sound is restricted after 10 PM and before 7 AM on weekdays, or 8 AM on weekends, in certain public areas. Construction is prohibited before 8 AM or after 6 PM Monday-Friday, before 9 AM or after 5 PM on Saturday, and all day Sunday and holidays.. Generally, during these hours, noise should be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing neighbors.
How loud can I play music in Santa Monica, CA?
Residential areas typically have a limit of Not specified during the day and Not specified at night. Excessive vibration or bass that is plainly audible at the property line may also be a violation.
Who do I contact to report a noise violation in Santa Monica, CA?
For non-emergency noise complaints, contact the Santa Monica, CA police non-emergency line at (310) 458-8491. For ongoing issues like construction or animal noise, you can also contact Code Enforcement at (310) 458-4984.