Noise Complaints

Complaints about unreasonable noise issues from a business, neighbor, event, construction or air traffic are handled by different agencies dependent on the location of the noise problem.  Ongoing and persistent disputes between neighbors (including businesses) about noise that do not violate the Police Noise Ordinance, can be referred to an independent neighborhood mediation agency called the Community Boards.

To report a noise problem, select from the following menu the item that best describes the location or type of noise.

Menu of Noise issues

List of Resources

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General Complaints

Noise issues that do not involve permits may or may not be violations of the Noise Regulation.  Noise issues such as:

  • Barking Dog
  • People talking loudly in front of your home or business,
  • Car alarms
  • Holiday Parties
  • Minor Home Improvement Projects

In general the Noise Regulation accepts these occurrences during the day until they become unreasonable or they occur between the hours of 10pm to 7am.

On-going and persistent disputes between neighbors (including businesses) about noise that do not violate the Police Noise Ordinance, can be referred to an independent neighborhood mediation agency, called the Community Boards.  The Regulation operates by the reasonable person rule.

To report unreasonable noise issues IN PROGRESS, call Police Non-Emergency. For noise issues no longer in process, you can submit feedback for trending by the departments using this link: Provide Noise Feedback

Excerpt from Section 2915

It is unlawful for any person without justification to make or continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued, any unnecessary, excessive, or offensive noise, as defined in Section 2901.11, and including vocal or instrumental music and related sounds, whether live or reproduced mechanically by radio, television, stereo or otherwise, and which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance of any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing or working in the area.  Full Text of Article 29: Regulation of Noise

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Airport (SFO)

Noise issues at the San Francisco International Airport can be referred to the San Francisco Police Department Airport Station at:

  • 6-2323 from courtesy phones inside the Airport
  • 650-821-7111 from outside the Airport
  • Email address: sfocop@flysfo.com

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BART

Noise issues inside a BART Station or Train can be referred to:

  • Use the courtesy phone inside station
  • BART Police Communications Center at 510-464-7000
  • BART San Francisco Patrol at 510-464-7075 (days)

Noise issues outside the BART station (plaza, entrance and exit areas, pavement above) can be referred to the San Francisco Police Non-Emergency.

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Caltrain

Noise issues inside a Caltrains Station or Train can be referred to Caltrains Customer Service at 1-800-660-4287.

Noise issues outside the Caltrains station (plaza, entrance and exit areas, pavement above) can be referred to the San Francisco Police Non-Emergency.

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Schools, Hospitals, Churches

It is unlawful for any person to create any unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise on any street, sidewalk, or public place adjacent to any school, institution of learning, or church while any of the same is in use, or adjacent to any hospital at any time, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in such streets, sidewalk or public place indicating the presence of a school, institution of learning, church or hospital.

Call Police Non-Emergency if the problem is IN PROGRESS. For noise issues no longer in process, you can submit feedback for trending by the departments using this link: Provide Noise Feedback

Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2903

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Food Establishments

Noise issues with rooftop air conditioning units, ventilation systems, motors or compressors.

Submit a Service Request or call 3-1-1 to submit a service request.

Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2909

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Garbage Collection

Complaints about noise created by the collection of garbage and recycling can be directed to the collection company or submit a Service Request to the Department of Public Health. This includes noise about the collection vehicles, the collectors, handling of the bins and time of day or night of the collection.

Recology is the parent company of the three companies that serve San Francisco.  Their contact telephone numbers are:

  • Sunset Scavenger: 415-330-1300
  • Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling: 415-626-4000
  • San Francisco Recycling: 415-330-1400

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Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)

Noise issues originating from within a Golden Gate National Recreation Area location:

  • Baker Beach
  • China Beach
  • Cliff House
  • Crissy Field
  • Fort Funston
  • Fort Mason
  • Fort Point
  • Lands End
  • Ocean Beach
  • Presidio

Call 415-561-5505, 24 Hour National Park Police Non-Emergency Telephone Number if the problem is IN PROGRESS.

Use the following web link to view GGNRA jurisdiction and boundaries:  http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/goga-folder-web2.pdf

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Deliveries

Noise created by late night, overnight, early morning deliveries to a business is not illegal if they are operating within the limits of their business permits.

Delivery noise is only an actionable issue it is happening outside the business' hours of operation (typically 2:00 am - 6:00 am). To report a delivery noise between 2:00 am - 6:00 am:

Otherwise, Submit a Service Request to report a possible permit or zoning violation to the Planning Department or call 311.

For construction related delivery, see Building Construction or Street / Sidewalk Construction.

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Entertainment Businesses and Events

Noise created by private or public events inside or outside of a business that do not have a permit for such, or the conditions of the event exceed the allowances of the permit.

Call Police Non-Emergency at 415-553-0123  [Police Code, Article 29]

To complain about the granting of a permit for a sound system, one night event, extended hours permit, submit a Service Request or call 311. If in a City Park, open a Service Request to the Recreation and Parks Department or call 311.

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Helicopters and Airplanes

To report noise issues from aircraft landing or departing from San Francisco Airport (SFO): 1-877-206-8290. There is a 2 minute recording on how to file a complaint.  You can also send an e-mail complaint to: sfo.noise@flysfo.com

Noise NOT associated with an airport, contact the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office:

1420 Harbor Bay Pkwy
Ste. 280
Alameda, CA 94502-7083
510-748-0122 (Fax: 510-748-9559)
Mon-Fri, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm  (Office hours by appointment only)

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Muni

Any complaint (including noise) involving a MUNI bus, train, employee, operation yard or depot, call 3-1-1 or submit Online Feedback

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Neighbors

Noise issues created by neighbors, such as barking dogs, loud music, parties, loud television or sound system, loud voices, or work projects between 10pm and 7am.

Call Police Non-Emergency if the problem is IN PROGRESS. For noise issues no longer in process, you can submit feedback for trending by the departments using this link: Provide Noise Feedback

Persistent noise issues within a multi-tenant building may be the responsibility of the Landlord. You can contact the San Francisco Rent Board for more information at 415-252-4602 Monday thru Friday; 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm or submit a service request. You can visit the Rent Board at 25 Van Ness Ave, room 320, San Francisco, 94102 Monday thru Friday; 8am to 5pm.

Rent Board Ordinance regarding Landlord responsibilities for noise

On-going and persistent disputes between neighbors (including businesses) about noise that do not violate the Police Noise Ordinance can be referred to an independent neighborhood mediation agency known as the Community Boards.

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Building Construction

Noise between 7am to 8pm, 7 days a week, including holidays is generally permitted.  Noise must not exceed noise level of five decibels at the nearest lot line, without a special permit. Five decibels is similar to the sound of a screw gun installing screws in drywall.  There is an on-line permit system to verify if permits have been issued and if there are any pending complaints: http://dbiweb.sfgov.org/dbipts/

If you believe that the noise exceeds allowed limits or if there is not a permit on file, submit a service request or call 311.

EXCEPTION: Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2901.6. Emergency work shall mean work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or work required to protect persons or property from an imminent exposure to danger or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

Noise between 8pm and 7am is unlawful without a special Public Works permit. If there isn't a permit, Per Police Code, Article, 29, Section 2908, call Police Non-Emergency (415-553-0123) if the problem is IN PROGRESS.

EXCEPTION: Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2901.6

Emergency work shall mean work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or work required to protect persons or property from an imminent exposure to danger or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

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Street / Sidewalk Construction

Construction on a public street or sidewalk is permitted by San Francisco Public Works Bureau of Street Use and Mapping. There is an online permit system to verify valid permits: Public Building Permits. If you believe that the noise exceeds a reasonable level or if there is not a permit on file, submit a Service Request or call 311.

EXCEPTION: Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2901.6

Emergency work shall mean work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or work required to protect persons or property from an imminent exposure to danger or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.  Noise between 8pm and 7am is unlawful without a special Public Works permit. If there isn't a permit, Per Police Code, Article, 29, Section 2908, call Police Non-Emergency at 415-553-0123 if the problem is IN PROGRESS.

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City College of San Francisco (CCSF)

Noise issues originating from within the CCSF campus, Call 415-239-3200.

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Salesforce Transit Center

Noise issues originating from within the Salesforce Transit Center, Call 415-597-5000

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San Francisco State University (SFSU)

Noise issues originating from within or immediately adjacent to the SFSU campus, Call 415-338-7200.

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Tour Bus

Noise issues originating from Unenclosed Tour Buses, please submit a Noise Complaint. When possible, include the permit number of the bus and the specific time and date of the occurrence. [Noise Ordinance Sec 2913]

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University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

Noise issues originating from UCSF campus, Call Campus Police:

  • Mission Bay Station, 600 16th Street, 415-514-4043
  • Mission Center Station, 1855 Folsom Street, 415-476-8871
  • Parnassus Station, 500 Parnassus Avenue, 415-476-1414

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University of San Francisco (USF)

Noise issues originating from within the USF campus, Call 415-422-4222.

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Vehicle Idling

Noise issues from a vehicle idling for an excessive period of time: Report through Police Non-Emergency or https://permits.baaqmd.gov/PublicForms/ComplaintWizardSelection

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Vehicle Repair

It's unlawful for any person within any residential area of the City and County to repair, rebuild, or test any motor vehicle or non-stationary source in such a manner as to cause unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise.

Call Police Non-Emergency if the problem is IN PROGRESS. For noise issues no longer in process, you can submit feedback for trending by the departments using this link: Provide Noise Feedback

Per Police Code, Article 29, Section 2905

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Police Non-emergency

In-Progress noise complaints are handled by the Police Non-Emergency Telephone Number 415-553-0123, 24 hours a day.

Not all In-Progress Noise complaints will be responded to if:

  • Higher priority police reports need to be responded to
  • The noise problem is not in violation of the Noise Ordinance as detailed in Police Code: Article 29, Section 2900.
  • A valid permit has been issued to the person or business causing the noise and the terms and conditions of the permit has not been violated. Complaints about the rendering of the permit and its terms and conditions would be handled by the City department that issued the permit.

On-going and persistent disputes between neighbors (including businesses) about noise that do not violate the Police Noise Ordinance can be referred to an independent neighborhood mediation agency called the Community Boards.

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