Little Rock, AR Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Sounding horn/signal device on a stationary vehicle
- Danger-signal exception
- Approaching out-of-control vehicle warning
- Braking exception
- Horn allowed while braking to signal deceleration
- Max fine
- $1,000 per violation, doubled for repeats
- Continuing violation fine
- $500 per day
- Governing section
- Sec. 18-52(b)(1), Ch. 18 Art. II
Summary
Little Rock outlaws sounding a car horn, alarm siren or any other vehicle signal device while the vehicle sits still. City Code Sec. 18-52(b)(1) allows a horn only as a danger signal for an out-of-control vehicle or to accompany braking, and separately bans an unreasonably loud or harsh horn blast and sounding any device for an unnecessary, unreasonable length of time.
(a)The creating of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual, or in disturbance of the public peace and welfare is prohibited...(1)The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, streetcar or other vehicle while not in motion, except as a danger signal if another vehicle is approaching apparently out of control, or if in motion only as a danger signal after or as brakes are being applied and deceleration of the vehicle is intended; the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of such devices for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-52 sits in Chapter 18, Article II, Offenses Involving Public Peace and Order, and opens by declaring any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise detrimental to health or the public peace unlawful. Subsection (b)(1) then singles out horns: sounding a horn or signal device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus, streetcar or other vehicle while it is not in motion is unlawful, the exact scenario a malfunctioning or triggered car alarm creates. The only carve-outs written into the subsection are a horn used as a danger signal when another vehicle is approaching out of control, or sounded only as a warning while brakes are being applied and the vehicle is decelerating.
The subsection also separately bans creating an unreasonably loud or harsh sound with any such device and sounding it for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time, language that reaches a car alarm that keeps blaring after the danger has passed. Section 18-52(c) carves the whole section back for city vehicles on public business, emergency excavation or street repair work by the city, county or state, noncommercial public-address amplifiers, and warning signals from an ambulance operator or licensed physician on an emergency call. Anyone convicted under Article II is punished as provided in Section 18-51, which points to the citywide penalty in Section 1-9.
Violations & Fines
Section 1-9(c) sets the citywide penalty: a fine up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per conviction, doubled for each repeat offense, and up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day for a continuing violation. Cases are prosecuted in Little Rock District Court, and the statute of limitations for any city ordinance violation, set by Section 18-8, is three years from the date of the offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Little Rock police cite me for a car alarm that won't stop going off?
Does the horn law have any built-in exceptions?
What is the fine for violating the horn/noise ordinance in Little Rock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
Compare Little Rock to another location·View the Arkansas noise from specific sources overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.