Cedar Park, TX Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- § 17.06.001
- Banned
- Engine brakes, retarders, downshifting
- Applies to
- All city streets, incl. state roads
- Exception
- Fire trucks on emergency duty
- Penalty
- Up to $500/day, § 1.01.009
Summary
Cedar Park prohibits using engine brakes, engine retarders, or downshifting to slow or brake a commercial motor vehicle on any city street, with an exception only for fire trucks on emergency calls.
Use of an engine brake, engine retarder or downshifting of engine gears to assist in slowing or braking of a commercial motor vehicle, except for a fire truck engaged in emergency duties, is prohibited. This section applies to all roadways or streets within the corporate limits of the city including a state-maintained roadway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4973212; v14 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Cedar Park Code of Ordinances § 17.06.001 bans the use of an engine brake, engine retarder, or downshifting of engine gears to assist in slowing or braking a commercial motor vehicle anywhere within the city, including state-maintained roadways that run through Cedar Park. The only exception is a fire truck engaged in emergency duties. The rule targets the loud compression-release noise ("Jake brake" noise) that heavy trucks produce when slowing on Cedar Park's roads, and it applies at all times rather than only near sensitive areas like schools or hospitals.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 17.06.001 is a code violation; since no specific penalty is stated for this section, the general penalty in § 1.01.009 applies: a fine of up to $500, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jake braking illegal in Cedar Park?
Are any vehicles exempt from Cedar Park's engine brake ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Park
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Cedar Park to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
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Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle vehicle noise.