Riverside, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Car alarms are regulated jointly by state and local law in Riverside. California Vehicle Code Section 22651.5 authorizes peace officers to remove any vehicle parked on a street or publicly accessible lot whose alarm has been sounding for more than 20 minutes (for alarms manufactured before 1986) or more than 5 minutes (newer systems). Riverside's Chapter 9.32 reinforces this by treating continuous alarms as a public noise nuisance. Officers typically attempt to locate the owner first, using DMV records and door-tagging, but a persistent alarm especially overnight in a residential neighborhood will be towed to a Riverside PD-approved impound yard. Tow and storage fees fall on the owner. Falsely triggered alarms caused by low batteries, sensitive shock sensors, or nearby thunderstorms are the most common source. Owners should have alarm systems serviced or sensitivity reduced if neighbors complain. Vehicles parked on private driveways are not subject to towing but can still generate Chapter 9.32 violations if the alarm repeatedly exceeds decibel or duration limits.