Olathe, KS Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Light vehicle limit
- 78 dBA / 82 dBA
- Motorcycle limit
- 84 dBA / 88 dBA
- Heavy truck limit
- 88 dBA / 92 dBA
- Muffler required
- Working, constant operation
Summary
Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas caps vehicle sound on public roads by weight class and speed, from 78 to 92 dBA, and requires every vehicle to carry a working muffler in constant operation, banning removal or tampering.
(A) No person shall operate or cause to be operated a public or private motor vehicle or motorcycle on a public right-of-way at any time in such a manner that the sound emitted by the motor vehicle or motorcycle exceeds the level set forth following... Any other motor vehicle: 78 dba (35 mph or less), 82 dba (over 35 mph). (B)(1) No person shall operate or cause to be operated any motor vehicle or motorcycle not equipped with a muffler or other sound dissipative device in good working order and in constant operation.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-39, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Olathe Municipal Code § 6.18.070, part of the Kansas city's Noise Control Ordinance, sets maximum sound levels for vehicles on public rights-of-way in Olathe, Johnson County by weight class and speed: light vehicles top out at 78 dBA at 35 mph or under and 82 dBA above that; motorcycles at 84 and 88 dBA; and trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR at 88 and 92 dBA. Every vehicle must carry a working muffler in constant operation, and disabling one is a separate violation.
Violations & Fines
Unclassified public offense under § 6.18.090(D): up to a $500 fine or 180 days in jail, with a mandatory 10-day cure notice before prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the noise limit for a car in Olathe?
Is it illegal to remove my car's muffler in Olathe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olathe
Compare Olathe to another location·View the Kansas noise ordinances overview
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Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Johnson County handle vehicle noise.