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Imperial County, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
off-street vehicle operation
Standard used
CVC § 23130 table
Preferred measuring distance
50 feet
Emergency vehicles
exempt in emergencies

Summary

Imperial County bars operating a motor vehicle off a public street or highway at noise levels above what the California Vehicle Code allows on-highway vehicles going 45 mph or less.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Except as otherwise provided for in this article, it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle of any type on any site, other than a public street or highway as defined in the California Vehicle Code, in any manner so as to cause noise in excess of these noise levels permitted for on-highway motor vehicles as specified in the table for "45 mile-per-hour or less speed limits" contained in Section 23130 of the California Vehicle Code, and as corrected for distances set forth in Table 1.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).

Full Breakdown

County Code § 90702.01 makes it unlawful to run a motor vehicle on a site other than a public street or highway in a way that exceeds the noise levels California Vehicle Code § 23130 sets for on-highway vehicles at 45 mph or less, adjusted using the county's own measuring-distance correction table. Authorized emergency vehicles using sirens or horns during an emergency are exempt. The rule targets off-road riding on private lots, farmland, and desert land, since on-street traffic noise is already governed directly by state vehicle code.

Violations & Fines

Operating a vehicle off-street at noise levels above the corrected CVC § 23130 standard violates § 90702.01; emergency vehicles in active emergency use are exempt from the section entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cover cars driving on county roads?
No, § 90702.01 only applies to vehicles operated somewhere other than a public street or highway, such as private land or off-road sites; on-road noise is governed directly by the California Vehicle Code.
Are sirens exempt?
Yes: authorized emergency vehicles using sirens or horns while responding to emergencies are excluded from this section entirely.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsQuiet HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsAircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsDecibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant Restrictions

All Imperial County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview

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