Carrollton, TX Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Horn rule
- Danger-signal use only, § 130.18(A)(4)
- Muffler requirement
- Effective muffler on all exhaust, § 130.18(A)(6)
- Racing/acceleration ban
- Near single/multi-family residential areas
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Intent required
- None; culpable mental state not needed
Summary
Carrollton's noise ordinance separately bans unnecessary vehicle horns, out-of-repair or overloaded vehicles that grind or rasp, unmuffled exhaust, and continuous racing or acceleration of an engine near homes. Each is its own violation under the city's unlawful noise section.
(4) The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicles except as a danger signal, and as may be required by law if another vehicle is backing, starting or turning such a way as to likely cause a collision. (5) The use of any motor vehicles so out of repair or so loaded, which emits or creates loud or unnecessary grating, grinding or rasping noises. (6) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any motor vehicle except through a muffler, or other device, which will effectively and efficiently prevent loud and unusual noises. (7) The unnecessary continuous acceleration or racing of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine, creating a loud noise adjacent to or in a single- or multi-family residential area.
Full Breakdown
18(A) lists four vehicle-specific noise offenses alongside its general disturbance ban. Subsection (4) bars sounding a horn or signal device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle except as a danger signal or as legally required when another vehicle is backing, starting or turning in a way likely to cause a collision. Subsection (5) prohibits operating a motor vehicle so out of repair, or so loaded, that it emits or creates loud or unnecessary grating, grinding or rasping noises. Subsection (6) requires every motor vehicle's exhaust to discharge through a muffler or other device that will effectively and efficiently prevent loud and unusual noises, making unmuffled exhaust its own violation regardless of whether it also disturbs a neighbor.
Subsection (7) separately bans the unnecessary continuous acceleration or racing of a vehicle or its engine where it creates a loud noise adjacent to or within a single- or multi-family residential area. near residential areas. 18(B)(2) covers police, fire and public utility crews acting in lawful duties.
Violations & Fines
Each vehicle-noise offense under § 130.18(A)(4)-(7) is a separate misdemeanor charge, punishable under Chapter 130's general penalty tier by a fine of up to $500 per offense under § 10.99(A)(1)(l). An officer can cite unmuffled exhaust or excessive horn use on the spot without showing the driver intended to disturb anyone, since § 130.18(C) removes culpable mental state as an element, and repeated racing or acceleration near a residential area can support a separate citation for each incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to drive a car without a muffler in Carrollton?
Can I honk my horn if I'm just annoyed, not in danger?
Is revving an engine near a neighborhood illegal in Carrollton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
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Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle vehicle noise.