Ann Arbor, MI Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Audibility limit
- 50 feet from vehicle
- Covers
- cars, motorcycles, mopeds
- Applies
- parked or moving
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 26-90 (1990)
Summary
Ann Arbor bans amplified car stereos audible more than 50 feet away, covering the bass-heavy sound that carries loudest from parked or moving vehicles.
No person operating or in control of a parked or moving motor vehicle (including motorcycles and mopeds) shall operate, or permit the operation of, an electronically amplified sound system in or on the vehicle so as to produce sound that is clearly audible more than 50 feet from the vehicle, except as permitted under sections 9:365(3), 9:366, and 9:367.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Section 9:390 makes it unlawful to operate, or let anyone operate, an electronically amplified sound system in a parked or moving motor vehicle, including motorcycles and mopeds, if it's clearly audible past 50 feet, with narrow exceptions for authorized emergency and warning signals. This is the city's tool against low-frequency bass carrying through neighborhoods from car stereos.
Violations & Fines
A violation is enforced as a noise ordinance civil infraction; officers judge audibility by ordinary human hearing at the 50-foot mark, no decibel meter required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a thumping car stereo illegal in Ann Arbor?
Does the stereo have to be playing while driving to count?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
Compare Ann Arbor to another location·View the Michigan noise from specific sources overview
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