Night Noise

Per Article 29 Section 2908 of the Police Code, no one is allowed to perform construction activities in the public right of way that exceed the ambient noise level by 5 dBA unless a Night Noise permit is previously approved by Public Works. (See Police Code for reference) 

All approved Night Noise Permits allow the Permittee to work between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with inspection monitoring in place; however, as a part of this approval, the noise level is not allowed to exceed 5 dBA above ambient levels after 10:00 p.m. For work occurring after 10:00 p.m. :

No high-impact and/or pneumatic tools and equipment shall be used.

All excavation work shall be done with the use of hand tools.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NIGHT NOISE PERMIT

To apply for a Night Noise Permit, submit to Public Works the following:

• Application-Night Noise Permit Application. Allow a minimum of 15 business days for review.
• Public Notification Material
  • Copy of radius maps (150’ taken from the limits of the construction areas)
  • Copy of the list of properties, property and business owners, and tenants and their respective mailing addresses which fall within that radius
  • Signed affidavit for the Night Noise
  • Dated letter to be mailed a minimum of 10 days prior to construction, via US Mail to all property and business owners and residents who fall within a 150’ radius taken from the limits of the construction area. Letter shall include:

The work to be performed and why the work is necessary to be conducted at night.

Two (2) 24-7 emergency contact names and cell phone numbers. For City projects, one of the emergency contacts shall be the name and number of the City inspector who will be on site.

The exact dates and times when night work will be performed.

The name(s) of the contractor(s).

The mitigation measures that the contractor will perform to reduce or mitigate night noise.

If there are hotels or residential properties in the vicinity of the job location that exceed greater than 20 occupants, the applicant may, under the approval of Public Works or his/her designee, allow the following modification to the notification process: The applicant shall work with the building manager to post a notification in the lobby and other public meeting areas in the building as well as have fliers available in the lobby.

• Payment of Fees-See the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule.

• Reason for Working at Night-Provide a detailed explanation of why this work cannot be performed during the day. Include any documentation and/or correspondence that supports your justification. See below for some of the reason that may be considered in approving a Night Noise Permit.

THE REASONS FOR APPROVING A NIGHT NOISE PERMIT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Construction activity and noise in the vicinity of the proposed work site would be less objectionable at night than during daytime because of different population levels or different neighboring activities.
• Obstruction and interference with traffic, particularly on streets of major importance, would be less objectionable at night than during daytime (SFMTA Blue Book restriction).
• If you have received direction from other City agencies that work must be performed at night. Include a copy of any correspondence documenting that requirement and/or permits received with that requirement, if already approved.
• Type/scope of work to be performed emits noises at such low levels so as to not cause significant disturbances in the vicinity of the work site; e.g. if the neighborhood of the proposed work site is primarily residential in character wherein sleep could be disturbed.
• Economic hardship to the neighborhood would occur if the work were spread over a longer time or if work was performed during the day.
• Work will abate or prevent safety hazards to life or property, if the proposed night work is in the best interest of the general public/residents.
• Construction activity causes utility disruptions impacts to residents.

Additionally, other factors may be taken into account when approving any Night Noise Permit such as the impact to SFMTA transit routes or main thoroughfares wherein a Special Traffic Permit is required from SFMTA. In this type of situation, San Francisco Public Works and SFMTA work collaboratively to determine whether a Night Noise Permit would be appropriate. 

If work is to be performed on a building between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. you should contact the Department of Building Inspection. Work under Port Jurisdiction shall fall under the Port for necessary review. 

To register a complaint about noise while the work is in progress, please contact your local District Police Station (non-emergency line). 
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or clarification on any of the permit requirements, please contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works • Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Phone : (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
• Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays