Franklin, TN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Franklin Municipal Code § 11-404(3)(f)
- Prohibited
- Exhaust discharged without an effective muffler
- Related clause
- § 11-404(3)(g): defective/rattling vehicle noise
- Related clause
- § 11-404(3)(p): car audio audible past 50 ft
- Penalty
- $50 misdemeanor fine per day (§ 11-407)
Summary
Franklin, Tennessee bans a vehicle exhaust or muffler that lets loud or explosive noise escape into the open air. Franklin Municipal Code § 11-404(3)(f) makes defective mufflers a per-se noise violation, and the same subsection separately bans unnecessary horn use, driving a vehicle so out of repair it rattles or grinds loudly, and running a car stereo audible more than 50 feet away.
(1)Consistent with other provisions of this chapter, and not withstanding section 11-403, it shall be unlawful for any person within the limits of the city to make, produce, cause, suffer, continue or allow to be produced or continued by human voice, machine, animal, or device, or any combination of same, any unreasonably loud, unusual or unnecessary noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood...(3)The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, even if the noises referred to do not violate the noise standards set forth in section 11-403 above:...f.Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, or other vehicle through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises there from.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 11-404(3)(f) of the Franklin Municipal Code, title 11, chapter 4, declares it a prohibited noise to permit 'the discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, or other vehicle through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises there from,' meaning a vehicle running without a functioning muffler, or with one that fails to quiet the exhaust, violates the ordinance regardless of whether it also crosses the residential curfew in § 11-403.
' Three neighboring clauses cover related vehicle noise: subsection (a) bars sounding a horn or signaling device for an unreasonable period or in a way that creates an unreasonably loud or harsh sound; subsection (g) bars operating 'any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise,' reaching worn brakes, loose exhaust systems, and overloaded trailers; and subsection (p) separately caps car audio equipment at 50 feet of audibility from the vehicle, on public streets or private property alike.
Franklin's ordinance does not name 'engine-brake' or 'Jake brake' noise specifically, so a compression-brake complaint would have to be evaluated under the general (f) exhaust-noise or (g) defective-vehicle clauses rather than a dedicated engine-brake ban.
Violations & Fines
A defective-muffler or exhaust-noise violation under § 11-404(3)(f) is a misdemeanor punishable by a $50.00 fine under § 11-407, with each day the vehicle is operated with the noisy exhaust treated as a separate offense; the same $50 fine and daily-offense structure applies to the related horn, defective-vehicle, and car-audio clauses in the same subsection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a loud aftermarket exhaust illegal in Franklin?
Does Franklin have a separate law against engine-brake or 'Jake brake' noise?
What other vehicle noises can get you cited under this section?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
Compare Franklin to another location·View the Tennessee noise ordinances overview
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