Avondale, AZ Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)

The idling limit in Section 23-62(e) applies to any vehicle, or combination of devices such as a truck coupled with a trailer, cement mixer, or refrigeration unit, that carries a gross vehicle weight rating above 14,000 pounds, is required to be registered under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28, Chapters 7 and 9, is designed for public highways, and runs on a diesel engine. Unless an exception applies, the primary propulsion engine cannot idle for more than five consecutive minutes. The section carves out several exceptions: idling forced by traffic or unsafe weather, idling for emergency or law-enforcement operation, idling that powers a power-take-off mechanism for loading, mixing, temperature control, or a mechanical work extension, manufacturer-specified warm-up, cool-down, maintenance, or R&D testing, idling to run passenger heating or air conditioning up to 30 minutes per hour (60 minutes in any 90-minute window once ambient temperature passes 75 degrees Fahrenheit for buses), and idling to comply with federal hours-of-service rules under 49 CFR Part 395.

The city manager can also suspend enforcement during designated special events. Every truck stop and distribution center must post a permanent sign at least 12 inches by 18 inches near the dispatcher stating the five-minute limit and the applicable civil fines.