Duluth, MN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Duluth Legislative Code section 34-23(a) prohibits any motor vehicle from emitting electronically amplified sounds plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle, with exceptions for emergency vehicle sirens and horns, authorized parade or civic-celebration vehicles, horns used as a genuine danger warning, and anti-theft devices. Subsection (b) targets exhaust and engine braking: it is unlawful to discharge exhaust except through a muffler that effectively prevents abnormal or excessive noise and complies with state law, and it is unlawful for a truck operator to intentionally use an engine retarding brake, defined to include a Jake Brake, Jacobs Brake, Dynamic Brake, C Brake or Paccar Brake, on any public highway, street, parking lot or alley if it causes abnormal or excessive noise due to an illegally modified or defective exhaust system, except in an emergency.

1050's motor vehicle noise standards, plus a nuisance-style clause covering noise that unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers comfort and repose or affects property value. The city may post 'VEHICLE NOISE LAWS ENFORCED' signs at the traffic engineer's discretion, though the ordinance applies even without signage. The section was repealed in 1973, reinstated in 1999, and most recently amended by Ord. No. 10402 on September 14, 2015.