Clay County, FL Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 15-5(d)
- Prohibited
- Unmuffled vehicles; racing-vehicle engines near homes
- Muffler standard
- At least as effective as OEM
- Repair exception hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Failed-muffler grace period
- 72 hours
- Habitual-violation fine
- $250 civil infraction
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Clay County only
Summary
Clay County outlaws driving an unmuffled motor vehicle and running or racing a racing vehicle's engine near residential land. A muffler must abate engine noise at least as effectively as the manufacturer's original equipment, with narrow carve-outs for repair, sanctioned races and a 72-hour grace period after a muffler fails.
(1)Unmuffled motor vehicle prohibition. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this subsection for a person to use or operate an unmuffled motor vehicle.(2)Racing vehicle prohibition. At any time that a racing vehicle is located on a public or private road or right-of-way, or on a residentially developed lot or parcel of land, or on a lot or parcel of land immediately adjacent to a residentially developed lot or parcel of land, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this subsection for a person to use or operate such racing vehicle, or to run or to permit, suffer or cause to be run the engine of such racing vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 86).
Full Breakdown
Section 15-5(d) contains two distinct prohibitions. Subsection (d)(1) bars using or operating an "unmuffled motor vehicle," defined at 15-5(a)(20) as a motor vehicle lacking a muffler, where a muffler under 15-5(a)(10) must function at least as effectively as the original manufacturer equipment at abating engine noise. Subsection (d)(2) separately bars running, or permitting to be run, the engine of a "racing vehicle" (an unmuffled vehicle built or used for competitive racing, per 15-5(a)(15)) whenever it sits on a public or private road, or on or next to a residentially developed lot.
; delivery to such a facility for muffler work; sanctioned competitive racing events, practice or time trials at the event site; a 72-hour grace period immediately after a muffler fails; manufacturer engineering or testing activity; and construction or agricultural equipment on a job site or traveling the road. Enforcement runs through section 15-20's civil-citation system as a nonexclusive alternative to criminal prosecution: a (d)(1) or (d)(2) violation is a category 1 civil infraction ($25) for a first offense, category 6 ($150) for a second, and category 10 ($250) for a habitual violation within 180 days, under 15-20(j).
69, Florida Statutes, up to $500 and 60 days in jail. Under 15-5(l) the entire section applies only in the unincorporated area of Clay County.
Violations & Fines
First offense: category 1 civil infraction, $25. Second offense: category 6, $150. Habitual violation: category 10, $250, or prosecution as a second-degree misdemeanor with up to $500 in fines and 60 days in the county jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud does a vehicle have to be before it violates this rule?
Can I still drive my car right after the muffler falls off?
Are racing vehicles allowed at a residential property at all?
What happens on a second unmuffled-vehicle citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clay County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Clay County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.