Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
San Diego County Overview
San Diego County Comprehensive Ordinances
San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES
County Officials
PREFACE
ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS*
ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS*
ARTICLE III GENERAL RULES*
ARTICLE IIIa ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR AGING AND INDEPENDENCE SERVICES*
ARTICLE IIIb COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE IIIc PAST GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIj AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM*
ARTICLE IIIk AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM FOR VENDORS*
ARTICLE III l AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIm AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM -- EMPLOYMENT*
ARTICLE IIIn SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES*
ARTICLE IIIo COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COORDINATING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIp FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE IIIq SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUSINESS PRACTICES REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIr REGIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIs NORTH COUNTY GANG COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIt POLINSKY CHILDREN’S CENTER ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIu SAN DIEGO SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIv CHILD AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIw ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
ARTICLE IV SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS*
ARTICLE IV-A ASSESSOR / RECORDER / COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE IV-B ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE IV-C ASSESSMENT HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE V AUDITOR AND CONTROLLER*
ARTICLE V-A PROCESSING AND CERTIFICATION OF ROUTINE CLAIMS*
ARTICLE VI BOUNDARY CHANGES*
ARTICLE VII BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND APPROPRIATION, REVENUE AND STAFFING LIMITATIONS*
ARTICLE VIIa TEMPORARY TRANSFERS OF FUNDS TO SPECIFIED AGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE VIII CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER*
ARTICLE IX OFFICE OF COUNTY COUNSEL*
ARTICLE X CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY*
ARTICLE X-A CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XI DEPARTMENT OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER*
ARTICLE XII COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XII-A COUNTY LIBRARIAN*
ARTICLE XII-B DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES*
ARTICLE XII-C CITY/COUNTY TASK FORCE ON AGRICULTURAL/URBAN ISSUES AND PESTICIDES*
ARTICLE XII-D DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES*
ARTICLE XII-E PESTICIDE TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XII-F COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE**
ARTICLE XIII-A DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND RECOVERY*
ARTICLE XIII-B DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XIV JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XV HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY*
ARTICLE XV-AA SAN DIEGO COUNTY EYE GNAT ABATEMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-B HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHARGES AND FEES*
ARTICLE XV-C GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM*
ARTICLE XVI CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XVI-A ADVISORY BOARDS*
ARTICLE XVI-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-C SAN DIEGO COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVI-D SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-E LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ZONE NO. 2 - JULIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOSTER CARE SERVICES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS QUINCENTENARY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-C EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-D WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION PROCEDURE; ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHISTLE BLOWER COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-E SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNOLOGY OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-F SAN DIEGO COUNTY EVALUATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVIII CITIZENS LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XVIIIa GRAZING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XIX ADULT INSTITUTIONS*
ARTICLE XIXa YOUTH CORRECTION CENTER*
ARTICLE XX FEES AND CHARGES*
ARTICLE XXA JUVENILE FACILITIES*
ARTICLE XXI INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION*
ARTICLE XXIa RULES OF CONDUCT AND PROCEDURE FOR PLANNING AND ZONING PROCESS*
ARTICLE XXIb PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XXII DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIa OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AND PUBLIC GUARDIAN*
ARTICLE XXIIb DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIc DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIII DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING*
ARTICLE XXIIIa RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XXIV PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT*
ARTICLE XXIV-A REGISTRAR OF VOTERS*
ARTICLE XXV SHERIFF*
ARTICLE XXVI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS*
ARTICLE XXVIa OUT-OF-COUNTY/IN-COUNTY BUSINESS*
ARTICLE XXVId LIMITATIONS ON MAKING GIFTS AND PROVIDING MEALS OR BEVERAGES*
ARTICLE XXVIe REIMBURSEMENTS AND ALLOWANCES*
ARTICLE XXVII BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XXVIII COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE*
ARTICLE XXVIIIa CODE OF ETHICS*
ARTICLE XXVIIId CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING FUNDING OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS*
ARTICLE XXIX [ORDINANCES REPEALED]*
ARTICLE XXX DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXXI PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS*
ARTICLE XXXII CABLE TELEVISION REVIEW COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XXXIII COUNTY HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE XXXIV COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY*
ARTICLE XXXV NOISE CONTROL HEARING BOARD*
ARTICLE XXXVI LITIGATION*
ARTICLE XXXVII DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXVIII DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL*
ARTICLE XXXVIII-A DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXIX DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*
ARTICLE XXXIX-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XXXIX-B MOBILE HOME ISSUES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XL SAN DIEGO COUNTY PALOMAR AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLI REMOVAL OF STRIKING EMPLOYEES*
ARTICLE XLI-A COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE XLII SAN DIEGO COUNTY INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XLIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER (CAC) PARKING LOT AD HOC COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL GROWTH AND PLANNING REVIEW TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XLV TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT*
ARTICLE XLVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON AIDS/HIV*
ARTICLE XLVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION*
ARTICLE XLVIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY MILITARY AND VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XLIX SANTA FE VALLEY WORKING GROUP*
ARTICLE L THE TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR ELIGIBILITY AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS*
ARTICLE LI SAN DIEGO COUNTYWIDE MOBILEHOME TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE LIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY EMEK HEFER SISTER COUNTY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE LIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOLID WASTE HEARING PANEL*
ARTICLE LV SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVII DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY*
ARTICLE LIX SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LX SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LXI SAN DIEGO COUNTY FALLBROOK AIRPARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE LXII OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES*
ARTICLE LXIII PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT OF 2011*
ARTICLE LXIV DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
STATE LAW REFERENCE TABLE
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances
San Diego County Board Policies
SEC. 36.404. GENERAL SOUND LEVEL LIMITS.
   (a)   Except as provided in section 36.409 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise, which exceeds the one-hour average sound level limits in Table 36.404, when the one-hour average sound level is measured at the property line of the property on which the noise is produced or at any location on a property that is receiving the noise.
TABLE 36.404
SOUND LEVEL LIMITS IN DECIBELS (dBA)
ZONE
TIME
ONE-HOUR AVERAGE SOUND LEVEL LIMITS (dBA)
ZONE
TIME
ONE-HOUR AVERAGE SOUND LEVEL LIMITS (dBA)
(1)   RS, RD, RR, RMH, A70, A72, S80, S81, S90, S92, RV, and RU with a General Plan Land Use Designation density of less than 10.9 dwelling units per acre.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
50
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
45
(2)   RRO, RC, RM, S86, FB-V5, RV and RU with a General Plan Land Use Designation density of 10.9 or more dwelling units per acre.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
55
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
50
(3)   S94, FB-V4, AL-V2, AL-V1, AL-CD, RM-V5, RM-V4, RM-V3, RM-CD and all commercial zones.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
60
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
55
(4)   FB-V1, FB-V2, RM-V1, RM-V2
   
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
60
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
55
   FB-V1, RM-V2
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
55
   FB-V2, RM-V1
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
50
   FB-V3
7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
70
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
65
(5)   M50, M52, and M54
Anytime
70
70
(6)   S82, M56, and M58.
Anytime
75
(7)   S88 (see subsection (c) below)
 
   (b)   Where a noise study has been conducted and the noise mitigation measures recommended by that study have been made conditions of approval of a Major Use Permit, which authorizes the noise-generating use or activity and the decision making body approving the Major Use Permit determined that those mitigation measures reduce potential noise impacts to a level below significance, implementation and compliance with those noise mitigation measures shall constitute compliance with subsection (a) above.
   (c)   S88 zones are Specific Planning Areas which allow different uses. The sound level limits in Table 36.404 above that apply in an S88 zone depend on the use being made of the property. The limits in Table 36.404, subsection (1) apply to property with a residential, agricultural or civic use. The limits in subsection (3) apply to property with a commercial use. The limits in subsection (5) apply to property with an industrial use that would only be allowed in an M50, M52 or M54 zone. The limits in subsection (6) apply to all property with an extractive use or a use that would only be allowed in an M56 or M58 zone.
   (d)   If the measured ambient noise level exceeds the applicable limit in Table 36.404, the allowable one-hour average sound level shall be the one-hour average ambient noise level, plus three decibels. The ambient noise level shall be measured when the alleged noise violation source is not operating.
   (e)   The sound level limit at a location on a boundary between two zones is the arithmetic mean of the respective limits for the two zones. The one-hour average sound level limit applicable to extractive industries, however, including but not limited to borrow pits and mines, shall be 75 decibels at the property line regardless of the zone in which the extractive industry is located.
   (f)   A fixed-location public utility distribution or transmission facility located on or adjacent to a property line shall be subject to the sound level limits of this section measured at or beyond six feet from the boundary of the easement upon which the facility is located.
(Amended by Ord. No. 7094 (N.S.), effective 3-25-86; amended by Ord. No. 9478 (N.S.), effective 7-19-02; amended by Ord. No. 9621 (N.S.), effective 1-9-04; amended by Ord. No. 9962 (N.S.), effective 1-9-09; amended by Ord. No. 10211 (N.S.), effective 6-1-12; amended by Ord. No. 10364 (N.S.), effective 1-2-15)