Moreno Valley, CA Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)

50, adopted by Ordinance 820 in 2010, responds to findings that diesel exhaust from Moreno Valley's truck traffic is a public nuisance and health hazard; the city cites EPA data that a typical pre-2001 diesel truck emits 144 grams of nitrogen oxide per hour of idling. 040(A) requires every driver to turn off the engine on stopping at a destination and bars idling beyond five consecutive minutes, or five minutes aggregated in any one-hour period. The same limit applies to off-road equipment operators under subsection (B).

Because Moreno Valley hosts major distribution centers tied to the World Logistics Center corridor, the chapter separately addresses transport refrigeration units (TRUs): under subsection (C), a TRU may not run while the trailer is parked unless it is at a city-approved truck parking location and more than 500 feet from a school, and even then only while actively loading, unloading, or queued to do so for up to two hours. Vehicle and equipment owners must brief drivers on these limits at hiring and again every year, put the requirements in writing for anyone who rents or leases the equipment, and track and remedy any compliance complaints.

Private property owners, including warehouse and distribution center operators, may not allow idling violations on their land and must notify anyone bringing a vehicle onto the property of the rule. 050 exempts idling required for traffic control devices, safety inspections, servicing, powering auxiliary equipment such as lifts or cranes, and turbo cool-downs of three to five minutes. Enforcement runs through peace officers, city-designated enforcement officers, the California Air Resources Board, or the local air quality management district.