Coral Gables, FL Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code Sec. 34-169(1)
- First response
- Verbal warning from police/code enforcement
- Repeat violation
- Fine under Sec. 1-7
- Exception
- Genuine danger warning allowed
- Enforced by
- Police department or code enforcement
Summary
Coral Gables bans excessive or prolonged car alarm and horn noise under its citywide noise ordinance, treating a blaring vehicle signaling device as an unlawful nuisance unless it's a genuine danger warning.
Horns, signaling devices, etc. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle on any street or public place in the city, except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any such signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a siren, whistle or bell; and the sounding of any such device for any unnecessary and unreasonable period of time.(2)Amplified sound. The making of amplified sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the person who is in the room, vehicle, chamber, or outdoor private property in which such machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The making of any such sounds:a.Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; orb.Between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7:00 a.m. the following day on Friday and Saturday; in such manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the source of the noise, or if the noise is emanating from a building, structure or vehicle, from any exterior edge of that building, structure or vehicle, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. Provided, however, that the making of amplified sound in connection with a special event or parade shall be governed by the applicable noise provisions in chapter 62 of this Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 34-169(1) makes it unlawful to sound a car alarm, horn, or other vehicle signaling device on any street or public place except as a genuine danger warning. The section specifically bars creating any unreasonably loud or harsh siren, whistle, or bell sound by such a device, and separately bars sounding any signaling device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time: language that squarely covers an alarm left blaring after triggering. Coral Gables police or code enforcement officers issue a verbal warning first under Sec. 34-172; continued violations draw a fine under Sec. 1-7, with the code enforcement board or a special magistrate able to escalate penalties for irreparable or repeat violations.
Violations & Fines
Letting a car alarm or horn sound with an unreasonably loud, harsh siren-like tone, or for an unnecessary and unreasonable length of time, when it's not warning of actual danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to let my car alarm blare in Coral Gables?
What happens if my car alarm keeps going off?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida noise from specific sources overview
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