Middletown, OH Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

31 targets noise generated from or by a motor vehicle under a driver's control, whether from a radio, phonograph, tape or disc player, loudspeaker or any other sound-amplifying device, or from a horn, drum, piano or other musical or percussion instrument. The rule is not limited to a fixed decibel reading: it bars unreasonable noise or loud sound likely to cause inconvenience or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities. To give officers a workable trigger, division (b) makes it prima facie unlawful if the sound from any of those devices is audible 100 feet from the vehicle generating it, shifting the burden to the driver to show the noise was reasonable.

20 (horns, sirens and similar safety equipment) are not covered by this section. 31 alongside the rest of the Traffic Code, and the section was adopted by Ord. O98-30 in 1998, replacing an earlier, narrower rule aimed specifically at car stereos. Because the offense is framed around a vehicle 'being operated by him or her or under his or her control,' it reaches parked vehicles left running with a stereo blasting just as much as one driving down Central Avenue or Verity Parkway.