Los Angeles, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle alarm auto-silence deadline
- 5 minutes from first audible sound
- Arm/disarm chirp limit
- 1 minute total
- Violation level
- Infraction
- Time calculation
- Clock runs from first sound; not reset by interruptions
- Proximity-triggered sounds
- Included in 1-minute status-indicator limit
- Enforcement
- LAPD
Summary
Vehicle theft alarm systems must automatically and completely silence within 5 minutes of the first audible sound. Audible status indicators, including arm/disarm chirps, are limited to 1 minute of total sound.
SEC. 114.06. VEHICLE THEFT ALARM SYSTEMS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, operate or use any vehicle theft alarm system that emits or causes the emission of an audible sound, which is not, or does not become, automatically and completely silenced within five minutes. The time period shall be calculated based upon the emission of the first audible sound and shall end five minutes thereafter notwithstanding any variation or stoppage in the emissions of audible sound. Violation of this section shall constitute an infraction.
SEC. 114.07. AUDIBLE STATUS INDICATOR. (Added by Ord. No. 169,785, Eff. 6/9/94.)
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, operate, use or maintain any vehicle theft alarm system which utilizes an audible status indicator emitting or causing the emission of an audible sound for a duration of more than one minute.
The time period shall be calculated from the point in time of the emission of the first audible sound used in calculation and shall end one minute thereafter, notwithstanding any variation or temporary stoppage in the emission of audible sound.
As used in this section, an audible status indicator is a component of a vehicle theft alarm system which emits sound audible outside the vehicle for the purpose of warning that a vehicle theft alarm system is installed and armed or operational.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 114.06 covers vehicle alarms that emit continuous or intermittent sound: the 5-minute auto-silence deadline runs from the first audible emission and is not reset by interruptions in the sound. Section 114.07 separately covers audible status indicators, defined as chirps, voice messages, or proximity-triggered sounds that warn a vehicle theft alarm is armed, these are capped at 1 minute total. Both provisions constitute infractions. The City may not cite the same violation under both § 114.07 and § 80.75.1 for the same event.
Violations & Fines
Both §§ 114.06 and 114.07 are infractions (not misdemeanors); enforced by LAPD under § 111.05(b). No overlap prosecution with § 80.75.1 for § 114.07 violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car alarm legally sound before it must stop?
Is the beep when I lock my car covered by this rule?
What is the penalty for a car alarm that will not stop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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