My neighbor's construction project is making a lot of noise - what is allowed?

It depends on who is doing the work and when.

If you are a Construction Professional (i.e. a Licensed Contractor) or an owner/occupant doing your own construction on a site with an active building permit:

  • Monday through Friday through from 7 am to 8 am - Light noise associated with preparing the job site is permitted. No heavy equipment power tools are permitted.
  • Monday through Friday through from 8 am to 5 pm - Heavy equipment/power tool noise associated with construction is permitted.
  • Monday through Friday through from 5 pm to 6 pm - Light noise associated with disassembling the job site is permitted. No heavy equipment power tools permitted.
  • Saturdays, Sundays, and City Holidays - No construction is permitted. This does not include non-construction landscaping (landscape maintenance) which must abide by the standard (non-construction) noise ordinance requirements. 

If you are an owner/occupant and are doing home maintenance not associated with a site with an active building permit:

Certain types of activities and noise sources associated with residential living are permitted under the City's municipal code. With the exception of gas-powered leaf blowers, low-noise generating power garden equipment (such as hedge clippers, weed-eaters, lawnmowers) is permitted as follows:

  • Monday through Friday through from 7 am to 8 am - No heavy equipment power tools permitted
  • Monday through Friday through from 8 am to 5 pm - Heavy equipment/power tool noise associated with construction is permitted
  • Monday through Friday through from 5 pm to 6 pm - No heavy equipment power tools permitted
  • Saturdays - Construction allowed 9 am to 5 pm by the homeowner(s) only (no outside help, hired or otherwise).
  • Sundays and City Holidays - No construction is permitted

Please Note: Unless expressly permitted by the City of Mill Valley, landscape construction work is not permitted on weekends and holidays and must abide by the same rules as regular construction. This does not apply to landscape maintenance which must abide by the non-construction noise ordinance requirements. 

No-Work Holidays:

  • New Years Day
  • MLK Day
  • Presidents Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

Complaints:

  • Noise violations (including after hours construction) are handled by the Police Department. Please contact them as the violation is occurring so that they may address it directly. The Police Department can be reached at 415-389-4100. 

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5. What will happen if I don't get a permit for the work that generated the violation?
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9. What do I do if I own or know of a vacant, unsecured substandard structure?
10. The person who turned me in has a violation on their property. Why aren't you investigating them?
11. Are gas-powered leaf blowers allowed in Mill Valley?
12. Can I keep bees?
13. Can I keep chickens or rabbits in my yard?
14. My neighbor's construction project is making a lot of noise - what is allowed?
15. Does the City require yard and lot maintenance? If so, why?
16. Why should pools be maintained and what should I do if I know of someone with a pool that is not being maintained?
17. Who do I contact if I want to change or put a new sign outside of my business?
18. Why do I have to pay penalties if I'm getting a permit to correct the violation?
19. How do I report a code violation?
20. How long do I have to fix the violation?
21. What are the rules if I want to run a business out of my home?
22. How do I report an encroachment on Steps, Lanes, or Paths?
23. Who do I contact if I am having an animal issue?