Huntington Park, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 5-11.03.1 of the Huntington Park Municipal Code, added by Ord. 459-NS effective July 5, 1989, is the City's vehicle sound rule. Subsection (a) prohibits using or operating a radio, tape player, tape recorder, record player, television or similar sound device in a vehicle on any property within the City such that it annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others. The rule is not limited to public streets. It says any property within the City, so private lots and driveways in the City of Huntington Park are covered. The standard is the effect on other people, not a decibel reading.

Subsection (b) supplies the working test: operating a radio or similar sound device so that it is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet from the vehicle in which it is located is prima facie evidence of a violation. Subsection (c) exempts emergency vehicles, law enforcement functions and other functions specifically authorized by the City. The section addresses sound devices only. It sets no decibel level and says nothing about mufflers or engine brakes.

The section sits in Article 1, Noise, of Chapter 11, Nuisances, in Title 5. Section 5-11.01 declares any noise from the operation of any device, equipment, object or thing that is of sufficient loudness, intensity or character, or of such continuance or recurrence, as to disturb the peace or quiet of any neighborhood to be a nuisance. Section 5-11.02 makes it unlawful to create, operate, permit or continue that nuisance. Under § 5-11.03 the Police Chief can order a nuisance abated on three hours' notice to the person creating or responsible for it, and after the three hours expire the Police Chief and authorized officers can abate it, including by entering private premises.