St. Tammany Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Stereo/muffler noise ban
- Sec. 24-38
- Jake brake ban
- Sec. 24-39
- Default fine
- $50.00 plus court costs
- Muffled jake brakes barred
- In 3 mapped corridors
- Enforcement
- Parish/sheriff's office citations
Summary
St. Tammany Parish bans motor vehicles from emitting unreasonably loud noise, whether from an oversized stereo or "boom box" or from a missing or broken muffler, under Sec. 24-38. A separate rule, Sec. 24-39, bans unmuffled compression "jake" brakes parish-wide and bars even muffled jake brakes in three signed high-traffic corridors.
It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle while emitting therefrom any unreasonably loud noises which may distract the operator of such vehicle, which may impair the ability of the operator to hear and respond to emergency vehicles or to the warning sounds of a horn from another vehicle, which may distract the operators of other vehicles or which may distract pedestrians. The operator of a motor vehicle is prohibited from operating a vehicle with a device or source that is actually emitting such unreasonably loud noises, which shall include, but are not limited to, radios, stereos or any other sound systems or devices, including those that are commonly referred to as "boom boxes," and any vehicle that is not equipped with a muffler that is in good working order, or any vehicle being operated with a muffler that has been rendered inoperative. The owner and/or occupants of any parked vehicle that is emitting therefrom any unreasonably loud noise while the vehicle is not being operated upon the roadway, shall be subject to all applicable nuisance provisions set forth in chapter 14, including section 26-1(4) and (5), section 26-2(5) and (6), and section 26-111.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 24-38 makes it unlawful to operate any motor vehicle while it emits unreasonably loud noise that distracts the operator, drowns out emergency-vehicle warnings or another driver's horn, or distracts other drivers or pedestrians. The prohibited sources are named specifically: radios, stereos, other sound systems including "boom boxes," and any vehicle lacking a muffler in good working order or running with a muffler that has been rendered inoperative. The rule reaches parked vehicles too: an owner or occupant of a parked, non-operating vehicle emitting unreasonably loud noise is subject to the chapter 14 nuisance provisions cross-referenced in the section, specifically Sec.
26-1(4) and (5), Sec. 26-2(5) and (6), and Sec. 26-111. Sec. 24-39 separately targets compression engine "jake" brakes: using an unmuffled jake brake anywhere in the unincorporated parish is prohibited unless an emergency requires it to protect persons or property. Even a muffled jake brake is barred in three mapped corridors: within a half mile of the Million Dollar Road/Highway 1081/Highway 437 intersections at Barker's Corner, within a half mile of the Highway 1077/Highway 1078 intersection, and on Highway 437 between River Road and Highway 1081.
The parish department of public works posts signs in those zones reading "Use of Engine Brakes Prohibited, St. 00," and placing a sign on a state highway needs prior approval from the state department of transportation and development and the department of public safety.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 24 sets no dedicated fine for Sec. 24-38 or Sec. 24-39, so the chapter's default penalty in Sec. 24-3 applies: a misdemeanor punishable by a $50.00 fine plus court costs set by the 22nd Judicial District Court Costs Schedule for each violation. A parked vehicle blasting unreasonably loud sound can also be cited under the chapter 14 nuisance sections referenced in Sec. 24-38.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play loud music from my car stereo in St. Tammany Parish?
Is it illegal to drive with a broken muffler?
Where are jake brakes banned even with a muffler?
What happens if I violate the vehicle noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
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