Manchester, CT Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Chapter 223, Section 223-4.F exempts noise from a fire or intrusion alarm from the general noise ordinance, but only for a limited window measured from the moment the audible signal activates: not exceeding 10 minutes when the alarm is attached to a vehicle, or 30 minutes when attached to a building or structure. The exemption has a built-in limit on abuse: the section specifically states that repeated activation of an intrusion alarm's audible signal due to malfunction, lack of proper maintenance, or lack of reasonable care is considered excessive noise, stripping away the exemption for chronically misfiring car alarms.

An editor's note under the section cross-references Chapter 103, Alarm Systems, which separately addresses false-alarm fees for repeat offenders. Once a car alarm noise event exceeds its 10-minute window or is shown to be a maintenance-related repeat trigger, it falls under the general prohibition in Section 223-6.A against emitting noise beyond a property's boundaries in excess of the chapter's decibel standards, and under the motor-vehicle noise standard in Section 223-6.D, which ties in-vehicle sound-amplifying devices and vehicle noise generally to the Town's noise-level table.