West Sacramento Drafts New Noise Ordinance to Address Resident Complaints

As of October 30th, 2025, the city of West Sacramento is in the process of drafting a new noise ordinance to address ongoing issues with disruptive sounds. Founded 38 years ago, West Sacramento has never had a dedicated noise law, instead relying on general nuisance regulations.

Now, the city is seeking to consolidate all noise-related rules into a single municipal code to make it more predictable and easier to enforce. West Sacramento residents have long complained about a variety of noisy activities, from barking dogs and loud leaf blowers to high school events and fast-moving traffic.

Some locals, like Lorri Trotter, say the sound of cars speeding down Jefferson Street keeps them up at night. Others, such as Greg Cain, are bothered by the extended hours of noise from sports tournaments at the local high school. In the absence of clear noise guidelines, some areas of West Sacramento have borrowed sound regulations from the neighboring City of Sacramento.

Now, West Sacramento is holding a series of public workshops to gather input on what types of noisy activities should be banned or limited to certain hours. The goal is to create a "comfortable, enjoyable place for everyone to visit and work," according to the city's planning manager, Tristan Osborn. The new noise ordinance is expected to be in place by next fall.

One challenge the city cannot directly address is the noise from Caltrans freeway construction, which is controlled by the state. Overall, West Sacramento is making a concerted effort to shape its future soundscape and provide clearer guidelines for residents and businesses.