Noisy maintenance and construction activities are permitted during the following days and hours:

• Weekdays: 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except in high-density areas; details below)
• Sundays and holidays: Not allowed.

According to Newport Beach municipal code, chapters 10.28.040 (Construction Activity) and 10.28.045 (Real Property Maintenance) prohibit maintenance, construction, remodeling, digging, grading, demolition, painting, plastering or any other related building activity that could produce loud noise and could disturb a person of normal sensitivity who works or resides in the vicinity.

These chapters also restrict any landowner, gardener, construction company owner, property maintenance service, contractor, subcontractor or employer from operating tools, equipment or machinery that could produce disturbing loud noise during the prohibited hours.

Emergency Repairs in Newport Beach During Restricted Hours

Newport Beach construction noise restrictions have few exceptions:

• Emergency property maintenance authorized by the owner or Building Director.
• Maintenance, repair or improvement tasks that cannot feasibly be conducted during normal business hours.
• Emergency construction work performed by a private party when authorized by the owner, Community Development Director or his or her designee.

The exceptions mean the any emergency repair work that might produce loud noise is permitted, within reason. For example, breakdowns which related to garage doors and openers such as broken spring, off track, broken cables or rollers, as well as malfunctions like garage door stuck open or won’t open can still be fixed by a garage door repair company during the prohibited hours.

Permitted emergency repair and maintenance work is also related to problems that can quickly escalate into serious and potentially dangerous situations, hazardous conditions that can be dangerous to the environment, as well as to the public health and safety.

Which Newport Beach Areas Are Affected by the Restrictions?

The Newport Beach City Council has imposed restrictions on construction-related noise on Saturdays in the following areas:

• Balboa Island
• Balboa Peninsula
• Bay Island
• Bayshores
• Collins Island
• Corona Del Mar
• Harbor Island
• Lido Isle
• Linda Isle
• West Newport

Additionally, the council has mandated the placement of a project information sign on-site for new construction and major remodeling projects.

The affected areas are denser neighborhoods and locales situated in close proximity to the beach. These areas typically feature narrow streets and experience higher demand for parking. Consequently, construction activities not only generate noise pollution but also impact traffic and parking facilities. Hence, the City Council’s decision to restrict noisy construction during weekends and holidays appears to be advantageous for both the city’s residents and visitors.

Newport Beach Noise Ordinance Goes Both Ways

Prior to these regulations, numerous local residents made noise complaints regarding constant construction activities in the city. Mayor Diane Dixon, a resident of Newport Beach’s Lido Isle, reportedly experienced disturbance from loud construction noise during the weekends. She explained that the noise persisted every Saturday, throughout the entire day.

Recent statistics indicate that this Orange County city has a population of approximately 86,000 people. According to Niche.com, the city is described as follows:

“Living in Newport Beach offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Newport Beach and residents tend to lean conservative.”

Construction projects and home improvements usually boost the local economy, but they can bring problems like noise. These restrictions arguably make Newport Beach an even better place to live. On the other hand, Save Newport raised concerns that the restrictions cause construction projects to take longer to finish, and that property owners with a 9-5 job are prohibited from working on their own properties and homes. They also argued that the restricted areas are already affected by loud noise from tourists.

When speaking to the LA Times, Seimone Jurjis, who is the City Community Development Director, describes these restrictions as being a compromise:

“We did recognize that homeowners need an opportunity to maintain their properties,” he said. “You can still have contractors at a job site, but it’s that loud noise that’s disturbing the neighborhood.”

While sometimes construction is unavoidable, especially in a growing city, construction work is permitted, provided that it adheres to the mandatory sound levels, which is 55 DBA.

The Effects of Noise Pollution

Noise pollution, whether caused by construction or other environmental factors, can have both short-term and long-term effects, physically, physiologically, and psychologically. Thus, it is evident that the City of Newport Beach is striving to provide a healthy noise balance for its residents. The persistent and consistent noise complaints regarding noisy constructions seem to be disruptive for most residents, and noise pollution doesn’t just prevent us from relaxing; it can also have detrimental effects on our well-being and health.

For instance, Sound Acoustic Solutions highlights the noise effects, which include tinnitus or loss of hearing. They demonstrate how several hearing experts agree that persistent exposure to more than 85 dB of sound is possibly detrimental, and estimate that approximately 30 million Americans have daily exposure to dangerous noise levels.

What is considered a safe noise level? Additionally, what noise level is permitted in Newport Beach during restricted hours? Below is a list of sounds that many of us hear daily:

• 20dB      Clock Ticking
• 30dB      Birdsong
• 40dB      Quiet room
• 50dB      Moderate rainfall
• 60dB      Dishwasher
• 70dB      Vacuum cleaner
• 80dB      Alarm clock        
• 90dB      Lawnmower
• 100dB    Pneumatic drill
• 110dB    Rock music
• 120dB    Car stereo
• 140dB    Firearms
• 150dB    Rock music peak

According to the city of Newport Beach General Plan: “Environmental noise levels are generally, considered low when the CNEL is below 55 dBA, moderate in the 55 to 70 dBA range, and high above 70 dBA.”

When we consider that a vacuum cleaner or even a lawnmower is not much different from a pneumatic drill, we gain a better understanding of why these restrictions have been put in place and why noisy weekend construction has been a recurring problem for Newport Beach residents. Although one might argue that most homeowners in the city won’t be able to perform common household tasks, such as vacuuming or mowing the lawn.

Noisy Construction Violations

Noisy construction violations would apply to the existing Newport Beach “Loud and Unruly Gathering Ordinance (LUGO).” This ordinance includes residential noise, for instance, a social gathering, as well as environmental noise, like construction. The violations carry the following civil fines:

• $500 1st response
• $1,000 2nd response
• $2,000 3rd response
• $3,300 4th response

Noise pollution violations are accompanied by a hefty fine system. While some residents may not be happy with the existing fine scheme, it seems to remain in place, and likely to be stricter in the future.

How Noisy Construction Regulations Affect Garage Door Repairs in Newport Beach?

Most garage door repairs fall under the category of emergency work; therefore, they are exempt from the restrictions. Nonetheless, most garage door work, including repairs and installations, requires a minimal amount of power tools. Although power tools such as pneumatic drills are used briefly, they adhere to the ordinance’s “time frame” for noisy construction.

Complete replacement and installation of garage doors, however, would not be exempt from Newport Beach’s noisy construction regulations if these projects generate excessive noise.

How to Report a Noise Violation in Newport Beach?

There are 3 ways to submit a noise complaint:

• Call Code Enforcement Division (949) 644-3215.
• Send an email to: CODEENFORCEMENT@NEWPORTBEACHCA.GOV
• Submit a complaint using Newport Beach’s online reporting system.

Noise regulations and restricted noise levels differ between cities and zones. Make sure to check the noise restrictions in your location before scheduling any type of garage door repair, installation, maintenance, or any other home improvement service.