Alameda, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Alameda regulates off-highway and stationary vehicle noise in AMC Section 4-10.6 (Motor Vehicle Noise Limits). Subsection (a) prohibits operating any recreational motorized vehicle - including motorcycles, go-carts, dune buggies, and racing vehicles as defined in 4-10.2 - off a public highway so as to create a noise disturbance or exceed the standards in Section 4-10.4. Subsection (b) prohibits repairing, rebuilding, modifying, or testing any vehicle, motorboat, or aircraft in a manner that creates a noise disturbance or exceeds those standards. The City does not set its own decibel cap for vehicles driving on public roads; that field is largely occupied by state law. Under the California Vehicle Code, modified or excessively loud exhaust systems are unlawful (CVC Section 27150 et seq.), and CVC Section 27007 prohibits amplified sound from a vehicle's sound system audible at 50 feet. AMC 4-10.7 also acknowledges that the City's noise rules do not apply where regulation has been preempted by State or Federal law. So in-traffic exhaust noise is enforced by the Police under state law, while off-road and repair/test noise is enforced under the City code.