Chattanooga, TN Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

No person operating or occupying a motor vehicle on any street, highway, alley, parking lot or driveway, either public or private property, shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system, including, but not limited to, any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loud speaker, or any other electrical device used for the amplification of sound from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) or more feet from the vehicle or, in the case of a motor vehicle on private property, beyond the property line. For the purpose of this section, "plainly audible" means any sound which clearly can be heard, by unimpaired auditory senses based on a direct line of sight of fifty (50) or more feet, however, words or phrases need not be discernible and such sound shall include bass reverberation.(d)The foregoing limitations on the operation of sound amplification equipment shall not apply to the operation of horns, sirens or other emergency warning devices actually being used in emergency circumstances. (Ord. No. 10157, § 3, 1-10-95; Ord. No. 11273, 5-7-02; Ord. No. 11613, 09-07-04; Ord. No. 12850, § 2, 8-26-14)