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San Francisco Noise Regulations and Complaint Guide

San Francisco uses relative ambient comparisons and separate indoor limits for fixed sources. Night construction has its own permit rules.

Content reviewed: . Original research snapshot: 2026-10-27. Individual source capture and online-check dates are listed below.

Where to start

  1. Use the official complaint page to choose the category that matches the observed source.
  2. Record dates, duration, receiving location and factual context; phone sound levels are reference readings.
  3. Keep the Service Request number if one is issued, and follow the agency’s instructions for any follow-up.
Open official San Francisco guidance (opens a new tab)

311 / SFPD non-emergency: 311 (415-701-2311 outside SF); SFPD non-emergency 415-553-0123

For immediate danger, use local emergency services. For other incidents, follow the official page’s category and police-response instructions.

Rules by sound source

All times are local to San Francisco (America/Los_Angeles). Allowed work hours, restricted windows and periods when a standard applies have different meanings. Check zoning, holidays, permits and exceptions in the cited source.

mechanical

Fixed-source sound inside homesRule with conditions

Fixed noise sources affecting residential dwelling units

Provision: San Francisco Police Code §2909(d)–(e)

Measurement point: inside any sleeping or living room in a dwelling unit on residential property

  • 45 dBA · inside sleeping/living room, windows open

    Night

    Standard period: Daily, 22:00–07:00 (ends the following day)

  • 55 dBA · inside sleeping/living room, windows open

    Day

    Standard period: Daily, 07:00–22:00

Exception where building ventilation is mechanical and windows remain closed.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

Exclusions and exceptions

  • A city permit with different noise provisions can displace §2909 limits; check the actual permit.

general

Residential sound above ambientRule with conditions

Residential property / multi-unit residential property

Provision: San Francisco Police Code §2909(a)(1)–(2)

Measurement point: outside property plane; or 3 ft from wall/floor/ceiling inside a same-property dwelling

  • not more than 5 dBA above ambient outside property plane / 3 ft from wall, floor, ceiling inside same property

    Any time

    Standard period: Daily, 00:00–24:00

For multi-unit buildings, the interior test is 5 dBA above local ambient 3 ft from the separating surface, with windows/doors closed.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

Commercial sound above ambientRule with conditions

Commercial or industrial property

Provision: San Francisco Police Code §2909(b)

Measurement point: outside property plane

  • not more than 8 dBA above ambient at property plane; entertainment also 8 dBC low-frequency

    Any time

    Standard period: Daily, 00:00–24:00

Licensed entertainment has an additional low-frequency dB(C) criterion.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

City guidance on unreasonable noiseCity guidance

Human and animal noise

Provision: SF.gov “Report a noise problem” — human/animal and unreasonable noise guidance

Measurement point: varies

  • unreasonable noise prohibited

    Night

    Restricted window: Daily, 22:00–07:00 (ends the following day)

SF.gov summary; general unreasonable-noise standard also applies.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

construction

Night constructionRule with conditions

Building/structure construction, demolition, excavation, alteration, repair

Provision: San Francisco Police Code §2908

Measurement point: nearest property plane

  • prohibited if noise exceeds ambient by 5 dBA at nearest property plane, unless permit

    Night

    Restricted window: Daily, 20:00–07:00 (ends the following day)

Permits can set conditions on hours, equipment, and permissible emissions.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

Powered construction equipmentRule with conditions

Powered construction equipment

Provision: San Francisco Police Code §2907(a)–(c)

Measurement point: 100 ft from equipment

  • 80 dBA · 80 dBA at 100 ft; impact tools need mufflers/shrouds

    Any time

    Standard period: Daily, 00:00–24:00

Impact tools are exempt from the 80 dBA cap if properly muffled/shrouded; emergency work exempt.

Windows-open, windows-closed, property-plane and interior tests have different conditions; consult the cited section.

Exclusions and exceptions

  • Impact tools have a separate muffler/shroud condition; emergency work can be exempt.

Official sources and review context

Saved-source review and online retrieval are different checks. Some sites block automated retrieval; an unavailable recheck is shown below. Open the official source to confirm the current wording and any later amendments.

Related Practical Guides

Document recurring noise

Keep a factual chronology for management or official follow-up.

Phone measurement limits

Understand reference readings and prescribed official measurements.

Start with one clear record.

Recording is free; new PDF reports require Pro. Your records stay on your phone until you choose to share.

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