Haverford, PA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Vehicle noise in Haverford Township is regulated through the disorderly conduct ordinance, not through a decibel standard. Section 128-3A of the Haverford Township Code declares three things disorderly conduct and acts disturbing the peace: the unnecessary sounding of automobile horns, sirens, bells, whistles or other warning devices; the operation of any motor vehicle which makes an unnecessary or unusual noise caused by improper or defective muffler; and the backfire or racing of such motor in or about the operation of such motor vehicle.

The subsection carries its own exception. It is not intended to prohibit the use of warning devices in emergencies or at such times or in such manner as a prudent operator in the exercise of good judgment may deem necessary. That wording protects an honk to avoid a collision and does not protect a honk used to call someone out of a house.

The code does not name engine compression brakes, aftermarket exhaust or vehicle stereos in this subsection. The improper-or-defective-muffler language and the racing language reach loud exhaust and revving, and the radio and mechanical instrument language in § 128-3C reaches a sound system played at an inappropriate time. Section 128-2 adds that reckless or careless driving, and any other use of vehicles by owners or operators that endangers the safety of or interferes with the comfort and convenience of inhabitants, counts as disorderly conduct.

The numeric noise chapter does not apply to traffic. Chapter 117 sets sound-pressure limits only for air conditioning units and other mechanical equipment on or attached to buildings (§ 117-2), and § 117-6A exempts traffic noises, noises created by governmental units and noises created by emergency and civil defense activities. So no meter reading is required for a muffler or horn case: the standard is whether the noise is unnecessary or unusual and whether it comes from an improper or defective muffler.

The Haverford Township Police Department handles these cases as summary offenses.