Marion, OH Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)

Marion has no chapter written only for delivery trucks. Two sections of the noise chapter, Chapter 634, reach them. Section 634.05(A) bars any person from operating, causing or permitting a public or private motor vehicle on a public right of way at any time in a way that exceeds the Table II sound level. Table II sets 86 decibels for motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,000 pounds or more, or any combination of vehicles towed by such a motor vehicle, which takes in a box truck with a trailer or a tractor-trailer. Any other motor vehicle, including a cargo van or pickup, is held to 80.

Section 634.05(B) fixes the measurement: at a distance of at least fifty (50) feet from the centerline of the vehicle, at a height of at least four (4) feet above the immediate surrounding ground surface, and at least ten (10) feet from any large reflecting surfaces. Subsection (C) exempts motor vehicles towing vehicles that need service because of mechanical failure or accident.

The dock or curb work is covered by § 634.03, which lists acts declared not to be in violation of the chapter. One of them is loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. The permission is written for those hours only. Section 634.03(D)(3) separately allows sounding a horn on a public right of way as a warning of danger.

A truck parked at a business is also a source of sound on private property. Table I in § 634.04 sets 75, 70 and 65 decibels for commercial designations by time window, and 80 for industrial, while § 634.04(G)(2) exempts refuse collection vehicles from that section. Section 634.02 bars any unreasonable noise disturbance. Under § 345.03(A), vehicles of 6,050 pounds or more are tested under 49 CFR 325 for traffic noise purposes.