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Construction Noise Permit
Noise permits are required when conducting any construction activity between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. during weekdays, Saturdays and all-day Sundays and holidays.
Plan Your Project
What You Should Know
- A Construction Noise Permit is required for construction work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. during weekdays, Saturdays and all-day Sundays and holidays. For a list of official City Holidays, see San Diego Municipal Code §21.0104. For additional information on construction noise regulations, please refer to San Diego Municipal Code §59.5.0404.
- Extension requests for existing Construction Noise Permits may be granted. Extension requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before a valid Construction Noise Permit expires. Requests for extensions for an expired Construction Noise Permit will not be granted, and applicants must submit a new Construction Noise Permit Application. An original Construction Noise Permit Certificate must be submitted if requesting an extension.
Required Public Noticing
- With the application for the Construction Noise Permit, applicants must submit the Noise Permit Notification List (DS-3073). The form records notification to all residents and hotel or motel managers, businesses or commercial facilities operating at night within a 500‐feet radius of the job site.
- Once a Construction Noise Permit is approved, a notice must be distributed at least 72 hours before the start of construction to all residents, hotels, motels or businesses within 500 feet of the worksite's outer boundaries. Here are templates in Microsoft Word or PDF to provide guidance on what to include in the notice.
- A Notice of Pending Construction must also be placed in a conspicuous, easily viewable place at the site for public viewing.
Fees
The Construction Noise Permit Fee for fiscal year 2023 is $219.85.
Exemptions
No exemptions. Permits may be revoked or denied by the Noise Abatement Administrator for violations. The San Diego Police Department can also revoke the Construction Noise Permit if complaints are reported to SDPD alleging excessive noise that creates a public nuisance.
Inspections
All permits are subject to City inspections.
Apply for a Permit
Step 1
Obtain a Traffic Control Permit with an approved Traffic Control Plan before applying for a Construction Noise Permit.
(In some cases, construction on private property does not require a Traffic Control Permit.)
Step 2
- A map showing all the properties within a 500-feet radius, measured from the worksite's outer boundaries.
- Record Agreement or Disagreement (DS-3073)
- Construction Noise Notice. This must be distributed at least 72 hours before the start of construction to all residents, hotels, motels or businesses within 500 feet of the worksite's outer boundaries. Here are templates in Microsoft Word or PDF to provide guidance on what to include in the notice.
- An original Construction Noise Permit Certificate must be submitted with the new application if requesting an extension.
Step 3
Read the 
requirements for PDF file uploads.
Not following the PDF requirements will delay project review and approval.
Step 4
Your PDF documents MUST meet our upload requirements. See Step 2 for more info.
Step 5
You will be required to upload the required documents from Step 1.
Additional Resources
- San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article 9.5: Noise Abatement and Control
- Agreement or Disagreement Form Template (DS-3073)
- Template Construction Noise Permit Notice: Microsoft Word or PDF
- Sample Traffic Control Plan/Permit Form (DS-269)
- Information Bulletin 177 - How to Obtain a Public Right-of-Way Permit for Traffic Control