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 includes painting and landscaping.

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
  • Sundays and City Holidays - No construction is permitted

Please Note: Unless expressly permitted by the City of Mill Valley, commercial landscape maintenance work on residential properties is not permitted on weekends and holidays.

No-Work Holidays:

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

Complaints:

  • Fill out a form online to open a code enforcement investigation.
  • Submit a Complaint Form (PDF) to our Code Enforcement Officer by emailing dstoneham@cityofmillvalley.org. On weekends call the Police Department at 415-389-4100. Please be prepared to provide the address, date, and time you witnessed the violation. If the violator is a contractor or gardener, please note the company name and vehicle license number.

Show All Answers

1. Is my property in a FEMA Floodplain/Special Flood Hazard Area?
2. What if my parcel is in a Special Hazard Area Floodplain, but the structure(s) are not or my structure is raised?
3. What is the definition of a substantial improvement?
4. What is the definition of the depreciated market value of a structure?
5. How do I determine the valuation of my project?
6. What if the scope of work increases after my building permit is pulled?
7. Do I need to fill out this form for a permit that is done over the counter?
8. What if my project is a Substantial Improvement?
9. Where can I get more information?
10. My neighbor's construction project is making a lot of noise - what is allowed?
11. How far in advance do story poles have to be put up? How long do they stay up?
12. I’m a property owner and I'd like to get a copy of the original set of building plans for my house. Do I still need approval of the design professional?
13. I’m a new business owner and will be replacing the old sign with my new name. Do I still need a sign permit?
14. What is required regarding trash, debris, indoor and outdoor storage?