Dakota County, MN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ordinance 107, Sec. 7.1
- Prohibited
- Excessive or unusual vehicle noise
- Speed cap
- 25 mph or posted limit
- Traffic law
- Minn. Stat. ch. 169 applies
- Penalty basis
- Minn. Stat. § 398.34
- Towing
- Illegally parked vehicles impounded at owner's expense
Summary
Dakota County Ordinance No. 107 bans operating a vehicle in county parks that emits excessive or unusual noise, along with noxious fumes, dense smoke, or other polluting matter, on top of a 25 mph speed cap and mandatory compliance with state traffic law.
Section 7.1 - Vehicle Operation
For the safety and enjoyment of all park users and to protect public assets, it shall be unlawful, when in a County Park, to:
1. Operate, park, or leave any vehicle except upon roadways, parking areas, or other designated locations;
2. Operate, park, or leave a vehicle in violation of posted regulations, State law, Minn. Stat. ch. 169, county or municipal traffic codes, or orders or directions of traffic officers or park employees authorized to direct traffic;
3. Operate a vehicle at speeds of more than 25 miles per hour, or more than posted speed limits; or
4. Operate a vehicle that emits excessive or unusual noise, noxious fumes, dense smoke, or other polluting matter.
Section 7.2 - Parking Vehicles ... Vehicles, boats, or trailers illegally parked, disabled, or abandoned may be towed away and impounded at the owner's expense.
Section 8.2 - Penalties Violations of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall be punishable pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 398.34.
Full Breakdown
1, Vehicle Operation, opens Chapter 7 of the Park Ordinance and lists four unlawful acts for any vehicle inside a Dakota County Park. Vehicles may only be operated, parked, or left on roadways, parking areas, or other designated locations. Drivers must not operate, park, or leave a vehicle in violation of posted regulations, state law, Minn. ch. 169, county or municipal traffic codes, or the orders of traffic officers or authorized park employees directing traffic. Speed is capped at 25 miles per hour or the posted limit, whichever governs the specific area.
The fourth clause is the noise rule itself: it is unlawful to operate a vehicle that emits excessive or unusual noise, noxious fumes, dense smoke, or other polluting matter, folding acoustic nuisance and emissions violations into a single standard rather than setting a decibel threshold. 3 separately bars washing, greasing, changing oil, or performing other vehicle maintenance anywhere in a county park. None of these vehicle sections carve out an exemption for modified exhausts, engine brakes, or aftermarket stereos; the excessive-or-unusual-noise standard applies to any vehicle regardless of what is producing the noise.
As with the rest of Ordinance 107, this governs vehicles on county park roadways and parking areas specifically, not general roads or streets in unincorporated Dakota County.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 8.1, designated Park employees may enforce this section and ask a noisy or non-compliant driver to leave the property, and any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the park can also enforce it, including related state law traffic violations occurring on county park land. Section 8.2 sets the penalty for any Park Ordinance violation, including excessive vehicle noise, at whatever Minn. Stat. § 398.34 provides. Beyond a citation, a violation can cost a driver park or recreation facility privileges and result in ejection from the park for at least 24 hours; a vehicle that is illegally parked or left in violation can also be towed and impounded at the owner's expense under Section 7.2, and repeat or more serious violations can lead to a full trespass order barring the person from county park property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a noise limit for vehicles driving through Dakota County parks?
Does this apply to loud exhausts and aftermarket stereos in vehicles?
What happens if my vehicle is cited for noise or towed in a park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota noise ordinances overview
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