Rapides Parish, LA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Rapides Parish's code does not use the phrase car alarm, but Sec. 19-52(b)(1) is the parish's governing rule for the same noise: horns and signal devices sounding on vehicles. The subsection makes it unlawful to sound a horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle while the vehicle is not in motion, except as a danger signal when another vehicle is approaching apparently out of control, or, while the vehicle is moving, as a danger signal immediately after or as the brakes are applied and deceleration is intended.

The same clause separately bars creating noise by means of any such signal device for any unreasonable period of time, language broad enough to reach an alarm system that keeps sounding after it has served its warning purpose. The horn clause sits inside Sec. 19-52(a)'s general ban on loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others anywhere in the parish, and it is one of five nonexclusive examples the section lists, alongside radios, yelling, animal noise and defective vehicle noise.

The ordinance dates to a July 10, 1990 enactment, and Sec. 1, added by a September 11, 1990 amendment, punishes any violation of Sec. 19-51 or Sec. 19-52, including this horn clause, as a misdemeanor: up to thirty days in the parish jail or a fine of up to one hundred dollars, or both, at the court's discretion.