Palm Springs, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 11.74.043 opens by declaring that the acts it lists, "among others," are loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises in violation of the Palm Springs Noise Ordinance, with the enumeration expressly non-exclusive. Subsection (a), "Mufflers or Sound Dissipative Devices," makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle in violation of the exhaust noise levels set by California Vehicle Code Division 12, Section 27158.5. Subsection (b), "Horns and Signaling Devices," makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle horn, siren, or amplification device in violation of California Vehicle Code Division 12, Section 27001.

Other subsections of the same section address related vehicle noise, including subsection (e), which bars repairing, rebuilding, modifying, or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorboat in a manner that causes a noise disturbance on residential property, and subsection (c), which bars operating a motorized recreational vehicle off a public right-of-way so its sound levels violate the chapter. Because subsections (a) and (b) incorporate Vehicle Code exhaust and horn standards by reference, a driver cited locally is effectively cited for the same underlying state equipment violation, enforced here by Palm Springs code compliance and police officers.