How Inglewood Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide
Inglewood maintains 151 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Inglewood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Vehicle Noise
Inglewood bans operating any motor vehicle whose condition, operation or modification creates noise causing a reasonable person discomfort or annoyance. Section 5-43 covers loud mufflers, stereos and engine modifications citywide, while Section 5-44 separately bars vehicle repair or engine testing in residential areas between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Violators face misdemeanor charges under Section 5-49.
Key details: Standard: noise causing reasonable-person discomfort/annoyance. Covers: mufflers, stereos, engine modifications. Repair/testing curfew: 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m., residential areas (§ 5-44). Governing section: Municipal Code § 5-43. Penalty: misdemeanor, public nuisance (§ 5-49).
A violation of Section 5-43 or Section 5-44 is a misdemeanor and a declared public nuisance under Section 5-49. Inglewood police can issue a citation on the spot for a loud exhaust or stereo, and the City can additionally seek a court injunction or restraining order to stop repeat offenders, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense.
Aircraft Noise
Inglewood bars operating any aircraft over the city that produces noise above 90 dB(A), with a federal-law exemption for aircraft flying under FAA regulations and air traffic control. Section 5-46 works alongside Section 5-47's nighttime cap on jet-engine ground testing near LAX-adjacent operations. A violation is a misdemeanor under Section 5-49.
Key details: Overflight noise limit: 90 dB(A) within the City. Federal exemption: aircraft under FAA/ATC rules exempt. Ground jet-engine testing limit: 50 dB(A), 10 p.m.-7 a.m. (§ 5-47). Governing section: Municipal Code § 5-46. Penalty: misdemeanor, public nuisance (§ 5-49).
Violating either Section 5-46 or Section 5-47 is a misdemeanor and a declared public nuisance under Section 5-49, enforceable by criminal citation or by a court-ordered injunction or restraining order against continued violations; each day of unauthorized noise is a separate offense. Because FAA rules preempt most in-flight aircraft noise, City enforcement in practice concentrates on ground-based jet-engine testing and non-federally-sanctioned flight activity.
The rules around aircraft noise in Inglewood lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Inglewood requires a registration statement approved under Section 5-50 before anyone besides police or government staff can operate a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment on a street, sidewalk, park, or public property, per Municipal Code Section 5-35. The rule catches fixed and vehicle-mounted PA systems used for talks, addresses, or transmitting music to a crowd.
Key details: Permit required: registration under Sec. 5-50. Covers: fixed, movable, vehicle-mounted speakers. Exempt: police and government personnel. Related home-audio rule: Sec. 5-34, 50-ft audibility. Adopted: Ord. 88-29, 9-13-88.
Operating a loudspeaker or amplified sound system on a street, sidewalk, park, or public property without an approved Section 5-50 registration statement is a violation of Section 5-35, enforced by the Inglewood Police Department, which can order the equipment shut down on the spot. A separate citation applies under the general noise-nuisance provisions of this Article, and repeat unregistered use of the same equipment at public gatherings can lead to denial of future registration requests.
Compared to other cities, Inglewood takes a harder line on amplified music & outdoor sound. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Barking Dogs
An Inglewood animal that barks, cries, or otherwise makes noise loud enough to annoy or disturb a reasonable neighbor is a code violation on its own, separate from any dog-count limit. Municipal Code Section 4-15 bars any person from keeping or permitting the keeping of an animal or fowl whose sound or behavior causes annoyance or discomfort to a person of normal sensitiveness in a residential neighborhood.
Key details: Standard: Annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness. Applies in: Any residential neighborhood. Covers: Any lawfully kept animal or fowl. Adopted by: Ord. 2042 (1970), Ord. 2295 (1978). Conflict rule: City code prevails over County text.
Section 4-15 does not print its own fine schedule; enforcement runs through the City's general Animal Control Code framework in Article 2, under which most keeping-related violations are charged as infractions per Section 4-18 unless the County ordinance section at issue is one of the specific sections that Section 4-18(2) designates a misdemeanor.
Leaf Blower Rules
California statewide regulations (CARB) ban the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines effective 2024. Inglewood does not appear to have a separate local leaf blower ban beyond state requirements. Standard residential noise limits under IMC Chapter 5 apply.
Key details: State Ban: New gas engine sales banned (CARB 2024). Local Ordinance: No separate local leaf blower ban found. Noise Standards: IMC Chapter 5, Article 2 applies. Hours: Must comply with general noise limits.
Compared to other cities, Inglewood takes a harder line on leaf blower rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
Inglewood is tougher than many cities when it comes to noise ordinances. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Inglewood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
All of the above reflects Inglewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.