Concord, NC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Two separate per se violations in Article V regulate vehicle noise. Under § 30-204(2), sounding a horn, signaling device or similar device on an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle, on any right-of-way or public space in Concord, for more than ten consecutive seconds is unlawful; sounding a horn as a danger warning is exempt. Under § 30-204(14), it is unlawful to engage or activate an engine compression brake, commonly called a Jake brake, Jacob's brake, engine brake or dynamic braking device, the truck-mounted device that converts the engine to an air compressor for braking without wheel brakes, on any motor vehicle where such use is posted as prohibited, unless the driver is responding to an emergency or trying to avoid a collision.

Unlike most of Concord's other per se noise violations, the engine-brake rule is not tied to a time window; it applies wherever the city has posted signage prohibiting compression braking, at any hour. The exemptions list in § 30-205 confirms motor vehicles on Concord traffic ways are otherwise exempt from the general noise article, but expressly carves the horn rule in § 30-204(2) and the engine-brake rule in § 30-204(14) back into full effect, so ordinary traffic noise is exempt while these two specific violations are not.

Enforcement of both runs through the city manager, chief of police or a designee under § 30-209, and complaints go to the Concord Police Department under § 30-208.