Cheektowaga, NY Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Town Code § 166-5D
- Covers
- Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, motorboats, minibikes
- Muffler required
- On stationary and internal-combustion engine exhaust
- Road noise separately
- § 166-7, ties to state VTL limits
- First-offense fine
- Up to $250 or 15 days jail
Summary
Cheektowaga's Noise Law bars any automobile, truck, motorcycle, motorbike, motorboat, or minibike from idling or running so as to create a noise disturbance, and requires a muffler on any engine's exhaust. Code § 166-5D also targets vehicles so out of repair or overloaded that they grate, grind, or rattle beyond Table I's limits.
D. Engines. The operation, including the stationary idling, of any engine, including, but not limited to, an automobile, truck, motorcycle, motorbike, motorboat or minibike engine, so as to create a noise disturbance, or the use of any automobile, motorcycle, or motor vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or in any manner so as to create excessive or unusual grating, grinding, rattling, or other noise, or the discharge into the open air of the exhaust from any stationary steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine or motorboat engine, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom, which exceed maximum permissible sound levels in Table I herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996449; v35 updated 2026-05-26; through 05-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 166-5D of Chapter 166 makes it a specific noise violation to operate, including to idle, any automobile, truck, motorcycle, motorbike, motorboat, or minibike engine so as to create a noise disturbance. The same subsection separately bars using any automobile, motorcycle, or motor vehicle that is so out of repair, so loaded, or otherwise operated as to create excessive or unusual grating, grinding, rattling, or other noise. It further requires that exhaust from a stationary steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, or motorboat engine discharge through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noise, and any exhaust noise that exceeds the maximum permissible sound levels in Table I under § 166-6 is a violation.
On public roads, § 166-7 separately bars operating a motor vehicle at a sound pressure level exceeding the limits set by the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. is presumptive evidence of a violation under § 166-8A, and the Building Inspection Department or Police Department enforces using a calibrated ANSI-standard sound-level meter (§ 166-12). Emergency vehicles responding to calls, such as fire, police, or ambulance units using sirens, horns, bells, or whistles, are exempt from this section under § 166-9A(1).
Violations & Fines
Violating the vehicle engine or muffler provisions is punishable under § 166-13A by a fine up to $250, up to 15 days in jail, or both, for a first offense. A vehicle owner or the person controlling it when the violation occurs is separately liable, and each day the excessive noise continues counts as its own offense for penalty purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fined for a loud car muffler in Cheektowaga?
Is idling a truck engine outside my neighbor's house illegal?
Does state law also apply to vehicle noise on Cheektowaga roads?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cheektowaga
New York rules heatmap·Compare Cheektowaga to another location·View the New York noise ordinances overview
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