Elyria, OH Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Elyria's noise ordinance, Codified Ordinances § 509.08, names vehicles directly. Paragraph (c)(1A)C. bars playing any radio, music player or audio system in a motor vehicle at a volume that disturbs the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of other persons, or at a volume plainly audible to persons other than the occupants. The test is audibility, so a complaint does not need a decibel reading.

The same section lists other vehicle sounds as violations. Paragraph (c)(3) covers sounding a horn, bell or other signal device in a way that creates a noise disturbance, except as a danger or warning signal. Paragraph (c)(4) covers operating a motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or run in a manner that produces loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise. Paragraph (c)(7) adds racing the motor unnecessarily, accelerating so hard that the exhaust emits a loud, cracking or chattering noise, or squealing the tires or leaving tire marks, known as peeling. It also limits stationary vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight rating to five minutes in any hour of running, outside traffic congestion and perishable loading.

Equipment is regulated in Traffic Code § 337.20. Every motor vehicle and motorcycle with an internal combustion engine must have a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. No one may use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device on a highway, and every motorcycle muffler must have baffle plates.

Section 509.08(d) exempts sound that alerts people to an emergency or is made in emergency work, and exempts noncommercial public speaking and public assembly on public space or right of way. Elyria police enforce the section.