Palm Coast, FL Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Sec. 35-52(5) prohibits the use of any motor vehicle without a muffler where the operation causes loud and raucous noise, the same 'loud and raucous' standard defined in Sec. 35-51 as sound that, by volume, duration and nature, annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers a reasonable person's comfort, health, peace or safety, measured from at least 50 feet from the source. Sec. 35-52(1) separately bans sounding a horn, whistle or other audible signaling device so as to create loud and raucous noise, except as a danger warning, which reaches aftermarket horns and alarms as well as mufflers.

Sec. 35-54(12) exempts motor vehicles whose noise emissions are already controlled by Florida Statutes, up to whatever decibel levels state law allows, meaning a vehicle in compliance with the state's own equipment standards is not separately liable under the City ordinance. Sec. 35-60 restates the same muffler prohibition for Sunday conduct, dropping the 'raucous' qualifier in favor of 'disturbing or disruptive' noise, alongside its Sunday-specific horn and yelling rules. Because the standard hinges on whether the noise is 'loud and raucous' rather than a fixed dBA reading, the same modified exhaust or stereo can be cited under Sec. 35-52(5) even where Table I's flat sound-level limits in Sec. 35-53 would not otherwise be exceeded.