Rancho Cordova, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- RCMC § 6.68.140
- Measurement distance
- 50 feet from equipment
- Current-era limit
- 75 dBA (equipment post-1979)
- Older-equipment limit
- 80 dBA phase-out by 1981
- State law carve-out
- Motor vehicle control unaffected
Summary
Rancho Cordova caps noise from truck-mounted garbage and waste-loading equipment at 75 to 80 dBA measured 50 feet away under RCMC § 6.68.140, with the limit tightening as equipment ages and a carve-out preserving state authority over motor vehicles.
It is unlawful for any person authorized to engage in waste disposal service or garbage collection to operate any truck-mounted waste or garbage loading and/or composting equipment or similar mechanical device in any manner so as to create any noise exceeding the following levels, when measured at a distance of 50 feet from the equipment in an open area: 1. New equipment purchased or leased on or after a date six months from July 1, 1976, shall not exceed a noise level of 80 dBA. 2. New equipment purchased or leased on or after 42 months from July 1, 1976, shall not exceed a noise level of 75 dBA. 3. Present equipment shall not exceed a noise level of 80 dBA on or after five years from July 1, 1976.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
140 targets a specific and recurring noise source: the compaction and loading equipment mounted on garbage and waste-collection trucks. Any person authorized to provide waste disposal or garbage collection service is barred from operating truck-mounted loading or composting equipment that exceeds set decibel levels, measured at 50 feet from the equipment in an open area. The limits phase down by equipment age: new equipment purchased or leased six months or more after July 1, 1976 could not exceed 80 dBA; equipment purchased or leased 42 months or more after that date dropped to a 75 dBA ceiling; and equipment already in service by 1976 was required to meet the 80 dBA limit by five years out.
The practical effect today is that all truck-mounted waste-loading equipment operating in the city must stay at or below 75 to 80 dBA at 50 feet, since decades have passed the newer, stricter tier applies. Subsection B expressly preserves the state's authority over motor vehicle control, meaning the city cannot use this section to regulate the trucks' engines or drivetrains themselves, only the noise from the loading and compacting apparatus. 190 applies: a resident's complaint to the health officer or police triggers an investigation and, if warranted, a written correction notice before any infraction citation issues.
Violations & Fines
A hauler that exceeds the 75 to 80 dBA loading-equipment limit and fails to correct it after a written notice under RCMC § 6.68.190 is guilty of an infraction, with each day of continued operation a separate, separately punishable offense. The city can also pursue nuisance abatement under RCMC § 6.68.200 independent of the infraction citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a garbage truck's loading equipment be in Rancho Cordova?
Does the city's noise ordinance regulate garbage truck engines?
How is truck-mounted equipment noise measured for enforcement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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