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Portola Valley · Building on your lot

Noise and construction hours in Portola Valley

Portola Valley's own rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Portola Valley Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Portola Valley's code says

Portola Valley code What Portola Valley's code adds
Leaf blowers and equipment
  • Leaf blowers at most 65 dBA at 50 feet, labeled 65 dBA or less, with mufflers and full extension tubes.
    Applies: Gas-powered leaf blowers only for emergencies the town manager authorizes in writing for a set time.
    § 9.10.060 · code text
    Leaf blowers shall not produce a sound that exceeds sixty-five dBA when measured from a distance of fifty feet utilizing American National Standard Institute methodology.
Noise limit at homes
  • 65 dBA Lmax.
    Applies: Outdoors on residentially zoned property, daytime 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    § 9.10.030 · code text
    Residential | L eq L max | 50 65 | 40 55 | 40 55 | 30 45
  • 55 dBA Lmax.
    Applies: Outdoors on residentially zoned property, nighttime 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    § 9.10.030 · code text
    Residential | L eq L max | 50 65 | 40 55 | 40 55 | 30 45
  • 55 dBA Lmax.
    Applies: Indoors on residentially zoned property, daytime 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    § 9.10.030 · code text
    Residential | L eq L max | 50 65 | 40 55 | 40 55 | 30 45
  • 45 dBA Lmax.
    Applies: Indoors on residentially zoned property, nighttime 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    § 9.10.030 · code text
    Residential | L eq L max | 50 65 | 40 55 | 40 55 | 30 45

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Portola Valley?

Portola Valley's code: 65 dBA Lmax. (Outdoors on residentially zoned property, daytime 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) (§ 9.10.030); 55 dBA Lmax. (Outdoors on residentially zoned property, nighttime 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) (§ 9.10.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Portola Valley's noise and construction hours rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Portola Valley Municipal Code — full text