Apple Valley, MN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Two provisions in the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances address vehicle noise. Section 70.05, Exhibition Driving Prohibited, forbids any person to accelerate, decelerate, turn or otherwise operate a motor vehicle on any public or private way within the city limits with an unnecessary exhibition of speed, or in a manner which causes unnecessary engine noise or backfire, squealing of tires, skidding, sliding, swaying, throwing of sand or gravel, or in a manner simulating a race. The reach extends to private ways, not only city streets.

The section also sets an evidence rule. The squealing or screeching sounds emitted by tires, the throwing of sand or gravel by the tires, or the unreasonable fish-tailing of the vehicle is prima facie evidence of a violation. An officer therefore does not need a sound measurement to write the citation. A violation of § 70.05 is a petty misdemeanor.

The second provision is the electronic sound system rule. Under § 130.58(C), when sound violating that section comes from a system located in or on a vehicle, the vehicle's owner is guilty of the violation, and if the owner is not present, the person in charge of the vehicle at the time is guilty. The underlying test in § 130.58(B) presumes a violation when the system is plainly audible at 50 feet or more between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at 100 feet or more between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Authorized emergency vehicles and vehicles required by law to carry sound devices are exempt.

The disorderly conduct section, § 130.02(F), separately reaches unnecessary noise made by racing the motor of any motor vehicle, causing wheels or tires to spin or skid with tire squeal or similar noise, or the excessive blowing of any automobile or other vehicle horn, when the person knows or has reasonable grounds to know it will alarm, anger or disturb others.