Redlands, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Alarm cutoff
- 5 minutes from activation, § 8.06.090(J)(3)
- Applies to
- Exterior burglar/fire alarms and motor vehicle alarms
- Stationary alarm test limit
- 60 seconds, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. only
- Full system test limit
- Once per month, 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
- Enforcing agency
- Code enforcement division (noise control officer)
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction under § 8.06.140
Summary
Redlands City Code section 8.06.090(J)(3) makes it unlawful to sound or permit the sounding of an exterior burglar or fire alarm, or a motor vehicle burglar alarm, unless it is terminated within five minutes of activation. The rule sits inside the noise chapter's emergency signaling device provisions alongside separate testing limits for stationary alarms.
3. Burglar, Fire, Motor Vehicle Alarms: Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless such alarm is terminated within five (5) minutes of activation.
Full Breakdown
090 covers 'Emergency Signaling Devices' generally, prohibiting the intentional sounding of a fire, burglar or civil defense alarm, siren or whistle outdoors except for genuine emergencies or permitted testing. Paragraph J3, headed 'Burglar, Fire, Motor Vehicle Alarms,' targets vehicle and building alarms specifically: sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm, or any motor vehicle burglar alarm, is unlawful unless the alarm terminates within five (5) minutes of activation. m. Those testing windows apply to fixed building alarms, not to the five-minute vehicle-alarm cutoff in J3, which applies at any hour. 140.
Violations & Fines
Letting a vehicle alarm sound longer than five minutes after activation violates subsection J3 regardless of the hour, and is prosecutable under section 8.06.140 as a misdemeanor or, at the city attorney's discretion, an infraction, with each day the condition recurs treated as a separate offense. Testing a fixed alarm outside the 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. window, or more than once monthly for a full system test, separately violates paragraph J2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car alarm legally sound in Redlands?
Are there separate rules for testing a building alarm system?
Who do I call about a car alarm that won't stop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
California rules heatmap·Compare Redlands to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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How other cities in San Bernardino County handle car alarm limits.