Ventura Decibel Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

San Buenaventura Municipal Code Chapter 10.650 (Noise Control), particularly Section 10.650.160, establishes exterior noise standards for all land use zones within the city. For residential zones, the daytime exterior limit is 65 dBA during the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. During nighttime hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the limit drops to 55 dBA. These measurements are taken at the property line of the affected (receiving) property, not at the source. The ordinance applies to all noise-generating activities, including outdoor mechanical equipment such as air conditioning condensers and pool pumps, amplified music and speech, loading and delivery operations adjacent to residential uses, and commercial activity near residential neighborhoods.

Ventura's 65/55 dBA residential framework is more permissive than some neighboring Ventura County cities during daytime but reflects the coastal city's active commercial corridors along Main Street, Thompson Boulevard, and the Pacific View Mall area, which adjoin residential neighborhoods. Noise sources with a clearly tonal character — such as the steady hum of HVAC equipment or the whine of refrigeration units — may be assessed with additional correction factors that effectively lower the allowable measurement. This makes the practical enforcement standard more stringent for mechanical equipment than for broadband noise at the same measured level.

For noise disputes involving commercial or industrial facilities, the city's Code Compliance Division handles investigation and abatement proceedings. The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) may hold concurrent jurisdiction over certain stationary industrial noise sources. New development projects near arterial corridors or the Ventura Freeway (US-101) are required to address noise impacts through CEQA review, and project-specific conditions of approval frequently include noise mitigation measures such as sound walls, building insulation requirements, and operational hour restrictions.