Fountain, CO Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

030, 'Muffler required,' part of the 1987 code recodification under Ordinance No. 762, makes it unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle unless it is equipped at all times with a muffler on its exhaust that is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. The same sentence separately bans operating any motor vehicle fitted with a cut-out, bypass or similar muffler-elimination appliance, the kind of aftermarket modification that lets exhaust bypass the muffler entirely for a louder exhaust note.

020's general ban on unnecessary, excessive or unusual noise near streets and public places, so a modified exhaust can be cited under either provision. 040 addresses a related but distinct nuisance: it is unlawful to carry or use a gong, siren, whistle, or red or blue light resembling an ambulance, police or fire vehicle's lights on any private vehicle, with exceptions only for police, fire, city-authorized private vehicles, and other emergency vehicles used by the public. Neither section sets a decibel limit; enforcement instead turns on whether the muffler is present, functional and unmodified, and on whether excessive or unusual noise results, which leaves the determination to the officer on scene and, on a citation, the municipal court.