Los Angeles, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle threshold
- 6+ tires and over 10,000 lbs empty weight
- Prohibited before
- 6:30 a.m.
- Location
- While parked or standing on a public street
- What is prohibited
- Engine operation disturbing persons in nearby sleeping quarters
- Exempt vehicles
- Rubbish trucks, emergency vehicles, public utility vehicles, passenger vehicles
Summary
Large commercial vehicles (6+ tires, over 10,000 lbs empty) may not run their engines in a way that disturbs people sleeping in nearby residences while parked on a public street before 6:30 a.m.
No person shall cause the engine of a commercial vehicle with at least six tires, and a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds empty, to operate to the disturbance of persons occupying sleeping quarters in any dwelling hotel or apartment or other place of residence while parked or standing on a public street earlier than 6:30 A.M.
EXCEPTIONS:
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any of the following:
1. Vehicles engaged in the collection of rubbish regulated under LAMC Section 113.01.
2. Emergency vehicles.
3. Vehicles owned or under contract to a public utility while necessarily in use in the construction, installation or repair of such public utility.
4. Vehicles subject to the provisions of Section 1031 - 1036 of the Public Utilities Act.
5. Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers.
Full Breakdown
The restriction targets engine idling of heavy commercial vehicles parked on public streets in the early morning hours, not moving vehicles. Exceptions apply to rubbish-collection vehicles, emergency vehicles, public utility vehicles engaged in repair work, vehicles subject to Public Utilities Act sections 1031–1036, and passenger-carrying vehicles. The 6:30 a.m. threshold is the hard cutoff; after that time the engine-noise prohibition does not apply under this section.
Violations & Fines
Violations of LAMC Chapter 8 traffic provisions are generally misdemeanors under LAMC § 80.76 unless reclassified elsewhere. First offense: fine up to $50 or up to 5 days in city jail; second within one year: up to $100 or 10 days; third and subsequent within one year: up to $500 or 6 months in city jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a delivery truck idle outside my apartment building at 5 a.m.?
Does this apply to garbage trucks?
Does this cover moving commercial trucks, or only parked ones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle vehicle noise.