Noise ordinances › Riverside, CA

Riverside noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Documenting this? A dated log of when the noise started, when it stopped and how loud it got is what Riverside acts on. Log noise levels for a complaint — free, runs in your browser, records no audio.

Quiet hours in Riverside

Night for the decibel tables is 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.: the residential exterior standard drops from 55 to 45 dBA (Table 7.25.010A) and the residential interior standard from 45 to 35 dBA (Table 7.30.015); the other land-use categories have one level at any time, and schools are listed at 45 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. while in session. Construction, repair, remodeling and grading are exempt from Title 7 only with any required City permit and only outside 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and all of Sunday and federal holidays (7.35.020 G), so the exempt window is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; outside it the work is subject to the title's standards. Minor maintenance of residential property is exempt from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (7.35.020 D), and sanctioned school activities on school grounds from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (7.35.020 B). The no-meter rules in 7.35.010 (noise disturbance, noise plainly audible through partitions common to two dwelling units, and amplified music or live performance plainly audible at 25 feet) carry no hours, though "the time of day or night" is one of the eleven factors listed for judging a noise disturbance.

Decibel limits

Yes. Table 7.25.010A sets exterior standards by land-use category: residential 55 dBA by day (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and 45 dBA at night (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.); office/commercial 65, industrial 70, community support 60, public recreation facility 65 and nonurban 70 dBA, at any time; Table 7.25.010.B ties the categories to zones (residential: RE, RA-5, RR, RC, the listed R-1 and R-3 zones and R-4; office/commercial: O, CRC, CR-NC, CR, CG; industrial: BMP, I, AIR). Sec. 7.25.010 A makes it unlawful to cause noise exceeding the standard "up to five decibels" for more than 30 cumulative minutes in an hour, the standard plus 5 dB for more than 15 minutes, plus 10 for more than 5 minutes, plus 15 for more than one minute, or plus 20 (or the maximum measured ambient) for any period. If the measured ambient exceeds a category, that category's allowance rises in 5 dB steps to encompass it (B); the ambient is measured at the same spot with the source off, or estimated nearby where the source is inaudible, and where the measurement point is on the boundary between two districts, "the noise shall be the arithmetic mean of the two districts" (C). Air conditioners and refrigeration installed before the title took effect may reach 60 dBA at the property line if installed before 1-1-80 and 55 dBA if installed after (D). Interior (7.30.015, Table 7.30.015): residential 45 dBA by day and 35 at night, schools 45 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in session), hospitals 45 at any time, measured inside another dwelling unit, school or hospital; the standard up to 5 dB for more than 5 minutes, plus 5 for more than one minute, plus 10 (or the maximum interior ambient) for any period. Measurement (7.20.010): a sound level meter on the A-weighting scale at slow response, exterior readings along the complainant's property line closest to the source or where the level is highest, interior readings at least four feet from the wall, ceiling or floor nearest the noise source, with windows opened or closed as normal for the season. The meter is not required for the general rules in 7.35.010: a "noise disturbance" (any sound that, as judged by a City police officer or code enforcement officer, annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or exceeds a standard in the title) is unlawful, weighed on eleven listed factors; noise plainly audible through partitions common to two dwelling units is prohibited; and loud music or a noise disturbance from sound amplifying equipment or a live performance plainly audible 25 feet or more from the edge of the property, structure or unit is prohibited.

What the ordinance actually says

Sec. 7.25.010 A: "Unless a variance has been granted as provided in this title, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise which exceeds the following: 1. The exterior noise standard of the applicable land use category, up to five decibels, for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour; or 2. The exterior noise standard of the applicable land use category, plus five decibels, for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour; or 3. The exterior noise standard of the applicable land use category, plus ten decibels, for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour; or 4. The exterior noise standard of the applicable land use category, plus 15 decibels, for the cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or 5. The exterior noise standard for the applicable land use category, plus 20 decibels or the maximum measured ambient noise level, for any period of time."

Sec. 7.20.010: "The exterior noise level shall be measured at the position or positions along the complainant's property line closest to the noise source or where the noise level is highest."

Sec. 7.10.125: ""Noise disturbance" means any sound which, as judged by a City police officer or code enforcement officer, annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or exceeds a standard set forth in this title."

Sec. 7.35.010 C: "Any noise plainly audible through partitions common to two dwelling units within a building shall be prohibited."

Sec. 7.35.010 D: "The emitting or transmitting of any loud music or noise disturbance from any sound amplifying equipment or live performance, which is plainly audible from a distance of 25 feet or more from the edge of the property, structure, or unit from which the source is located, shall be prohibited."

Sec. 7.35.020 G: "Construction. Noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property; provided a permit has been obtained from the City as required; and provided said activities do not take place between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays, or at any time on Sunday or a federal holiday."

Sec. 7.15.010 A: "Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any violation of this Title shall be subject to fines as follows: Upon a first violation of this Title, a fine of $500.00. Upon a second violation of this Title, a fine of $750.00. Upon a third or subsequent violation of this Title, a fine of $1,000.00."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Riverside Municipal Code, Title 7 "Noise Control": Ch. 7.05 policy and intent, Ch. 7.10 definitions (7.10.125 noise disturbance), Ch. 7.15 administration and enforcement (7.15.010 fines and penalties, amended by Ord. 7703, § 1, 2025), Ch. 7.20 sound level measurement, Ch. 7.23 ambient sound levels, Ch. 7.25 nuisance exterior sound level limits (7.25.010, Tables 7.25.010A and 7.25.010.B), Ch. 7.30 nuisance interior sound level limits (7.30.015), Ch. 7.35 general noise regulations (7.35.010, amended by Ord. 7703, § 2, adopted 3-11-2025; 7.35.020 exemptions), Ch. 7.40 variance procedure, Ch. 7.45 severability (Ord. 6273, 1996; Ord. 7489, 2019; Ord. 7703, 2025); Title 9, Ch. 9.04, Secs. 9.04.700–9.04.780 loud or unruly gatherings (Ord. 7490, 2019); Title 8, Ch. 8.10 noisy animals (8.10.015, 8.10.030, 8.10.040, 8.10.080). Code codified through Ord. No. 7776, enacted 6-23-2026 (Supp. No. 33); none of the adopted ordinances awaiting codification amends Title 7. Text read on Municode (library.municode.com, the City's code host) on 2026-10-01.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-01. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Riverside

Per riversideca.gov (Riverside Police Department "Who to Call" sheet, RPD 03/2026): emergencies 911; "Police, Fire & Medical Non-Emergency" 354-2007 and the Police General Information Line 826-5700 (both in the 951 area code, so (951) 354-2007 and (951) 826-5700); Animal Control 358-7387 (951); and "To report a problem or concern, call (951) 826-5311 or download the 311 mobile app." RPD's Dispatch page lists "Noise problems (parties, music, etc.)" among the calls for the non-emergency number (951) 354-2007. Sec. 7.15.005 assigns enforcement of Title 7 to the Code Enforcement Division of the Community & Economic Development Department and/or the Riverside Police Department, which investigate, issue warnings and citations, and refer cases to the City Attorney; a violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or an infraction, each day a separate offense. Since Ord. 7703 (2025), any violation of Title 7 carries a fine of $500 for a first violation, $750 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later (7.15.010), and the responsible parties include the property owner, business operators, renters or lessees where the noise originates (7.15.015). For a loud or unruly gathering an officer may post a notice on the property's front entrance that must stay up 30 days, and a responsible party who was not present can be cited for a later violation after being served (9.04.750, 9.04.760). Noisy-animal cases start with a warning notice after an animal control or police officer confirms the nuisance or receives a written complaint signed under penalty of perjury (8.10.040).

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Riverside. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

(1) The 2025 amendment (Ord. 7703, adopted March 11, 2025) added the 25-foot rule for amplified music and live performances (7.35.010 D), added the "reasonable person of normal sensitivities" language to 7.35.010 A, and replaced the old cross-reference to the Chapter 1.17 fine schedule with flat fines of $500, $750 and $1,000 (7.15.010); versions of the code from before the amendment have none of the three (the "reasonable person of normal sensitivities" phrase was already in the 7.10.125 definition of "noise disturbance," from Ord. 7489, 2019). (2) The meter goes on the complainant's property line, at the point closest to the source or where the level is highest (7.20.010), not at the source. (3) Three no-meter offenses sit beside the tables: an officer-judged "noise disturbance" (7.10.125, 7.35.010 A and B), any noise plainly audible through a wall shared by two dwelling units (7.35.010 C), and amplified sound or a live performance plainly audible at 25 feet (7.35.010 D). (4) Saturday construction ends early: the exemption runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, requires any City permit the work needs, and does not exist on Sundays or federal holidays (7.35.020 G); outside the window the work is judged by Title 7 like any other noise rather than being banned by name. (5) The first rung of the exterior ladder is worded "up to five decibels" for more than 30 minutes, and the top rung allows the standard plus 20 dB "or the maximum measured ambient noise level" (7.25.010 A), so a loud ambient raises the ceiling. (6) Sec. 7.20.010 opens "Except as provided by Chapter 17.35, General Noise Regulations", while the General Noise Regulations are Chapter 7.35 of this title. (7) Variances are granted by the Community & Economic Development Director (or by the Planning Commission if the request is contested or not approved within ten days), with notice to owners within 300 feet, for no more than one year at a time (7.40.010). (8) Loud or unruly gatherings are a separate public nuisance (9.04.700–9.04.780, Ord. 7490, 2019): "excessive or loud noise" is one of the listed kinds of conduct, the posted notice may not be removed for 30 days, fines escalate under Chapter 1.17 and reset after 12 months with no violations, and a public party with music that charges admission, advertises or sells refreshments is unlawful unless otherwise permitted (9.04.740 E). (9) A noisy animal is one that barks or makes noise continuously for ten minutes, or intermittently for half an hour or more, on five or more separate days within 30 days (8.10.015); a hearing officer's remedies can include a noise suppression device, obedience training or debarking at the responsible party's expense (8.10.080). (10) Exempt from Title 7: emergency work and warning devices, school events from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., activities whose noise is regulated by state or federal law, work in City rights-of-way when, in the opinion of the Public Works Director or a designee, it will create traffic congestion or hazardous or unsafe conditions, public agency and utility operations such as trash collection and street sweeping, and commercial agriculture (7.35.020).

Document it before you report it

Riverside's limits are measured numbers, so a reading is direct evidence of how loud it really is. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and check how loud your block is on the Riverside noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.