Pittsburgh, PA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Max fine
- $250 per violation
- Covers
- un-muffled compression/engine braking
- Exempt
- fire department vehicles
- Defense
- genuine emergency use only
- Applies
- citywide, all streets
Summary
Pittsburgh bans un-muffled compression ("Jake" or engine) braking anywhere in the city, with an exception only when the brakes were applied in a genuine emergency to protect people or property.
Except as provided in this section, no person shall use motor vehicle un-muffled compression brakes within the City of Pittsburgh. It shall be an affirmative defense that said un-muffled compression brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons and/or property.
(b) This section shall not apply to vehicles of the city's fire department, whether or not responding to an emergency.
(c) As used in this section, the term "compression brakes" means the use of the engine and transmission to retard the forward motion of a motor vehicle by compression of the engine.
(d) The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure shall post at reasonable locations within the boundaries of the City signs indicating "Un-muffled Compression Brakes Prohibited" or substantially similar wording. The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure shall have the authority to post signs pursuant to this Section on roads in the City in response to reasonable requests from the community or the City Council. Compression brake signs on City roads shall remain and be maintained and replaced, when necessary, with language consistent with this Section.
(e) Violation of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a maximum penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per violation.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 503.15 makes it unlawful to use un-muffled motor vehicle compression brakes anywhere within the City of Pittsburgh. The only affirmative defense is that the un-muffled brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons or property. Fire department vehicles are exempt from the ban entirely, whether or not they're responding to a call. The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure posts "Un-Muffled Compression Brakes Prohibited" signs at locations around the city, including on streets where residents or City Council request them, and those signs must be maintained. A violation is a traffic infraction.
Violations & Fines
Traffic infraction punishable by a maximum penalty of $250 per violation; fire department vehicles are exempt regardless of whether they're on a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is using my truck's Jake brake illegal in Pittsburgh?
What's the fine for an un-muffled engine brake in Pittsburgh?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
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