Vehicle noise in unincorporated Solano County is governed primarily by the California Vehicle Code, which sets statewide muffler and exhaust requirements and decibel limits enforced by CHP and the Sheriff. The county's own Sec. 21-10 disturbance-of-the-peace rule adds local authority over loud non-agricultural noise above 65 dBA at the property line overnight, capturing things like idling or revving in residential areas.
Solano County does not maintain its own decibel schedule for moving vehicles; on-road vehicle noise is preempted by and enforced under the California Vehicle Code. Vehicle Code Sec. 27150 requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with an adequate muffler in good working order and prohibits modifications that amplify or increase exhaust noise, and Vehicle Code Sec. 27151 prohibits modifying an exhaust system to exceed legal noise limits. Vehicle Code Sec. 23130 establishes maximum permissible noise levels (in dBA, measured at 50 feet) for vehicles operating on California highways. These are enforced by the California Highway Patrol and the Solano County Sheriff in the unincorporated area. The county supplements this with Solano County Code Sec. 21-10, which makes any non-agricultural noise exceeding 65 dBA at the property line after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. a per se disturbance of the peace, reaching conduct such as loud idling, engine revving, or stereo noise from parked vehicles in residential neighborhoods. California Vehicle Code Sec. 27007 separately bars amplified sound from a vehicle audible at 50 feet.
Modified or excessively loud exhaust is a Vehicle Code infraction (Sec. 27150/27151) cited by CHP or the Sheriff, with a 'fix-it' correction option in many cases. Loud vehicle noise that violates County Code Sec. 21-10 in the overnight window is a misdemeanor disturbance of the peace, punishable under Sec. 1-21 by up to six months jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Solano County, CA
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Solano County, CA
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Solano County, CA
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Solano County, CA
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Solano County, CA
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Solano County, CA
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See how Solano County's vehicle noise rules stack up against other locations.
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