The right question isn’t habitability
Usually not on its own. Ordinary noise — like neighbors talking, footsteps, or occasional loud music — generally does not make a home legally "uninhabitable" the way problems such as no heat, leaks, or pests can. California's habitability standard focuses on health and safety conditions like plumbing, heat, and structural safety, not noise levels.
That said, noise can still create real legal rights through other paths. Severe, ongoing noise may violate your right to "quiet enjoyment" of your home, may count as a nuisance, or may break a lease rule that the landlord is supposed to enforce. In some extreme cases, noise tied to a dangerous condition could overlap with safety concerns.
So the better question is usually not "is noise a habitability violation?" but "who is responsible for this noise, and what can be done about it?" The answer depends on where the noise comes from and how much control the landlord has over it.
If ongoing noise is seriously disrupting your home, a free, confidential review can help you understand which rights may apply.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.