La Plata County, CO Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 54-30 of the La Plata County Code regulates one source of vehicle noise: the engine compression brake. Ord. No. 2021-1, adopted January 26, 2021, created it, with an effective date of February 25, 2021. The stated purpose is to regulate the use of engine brake devices in a manner that protects the public health, safety, and welfare of the County.

The section applies to any vehicle that is subject to registration and operated on a highway within the County. Electric motor vehicles are exempt. A covered vehicle equipped with an engine compression brake device must meet three standards: a muffler on the engine compression brake device; the muffler kept in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise; and no cut-off, bypass, or similar device added to the brake or its muffler. The section sets no decibel figure and addresses engine compression brake devices only.

Enforcement is by a law enforcement officer or any other persons or positions the Board of County Commissioners designates as enforcement officers. An officer can use the penalty assessment procedure in C.R.S. § 16-2-201. Under C.R.S. §§ 30-11-101 and 30-15-402, a violation is a traffic infraction. For each separate violation the fine is a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $1,000, and that range is the same for a first offense and every later one. A conviction also carries a $10 surcharge for the Victims and Witnesses Assistance and Law Enforcement Fund, paid to the clerk of court, who transmits the money under C.R.S. § 30-15-402(2).

The Land Use Code noise standard in Section 70-21 works differently. It measures noise at the property boundary from new development and lists motor vehicles as preempted by state law, along with agricultural vehicles, among its exceptions. Section 54-30, not Section 70-21, is the county rule aimed at vehicle noise.