Pocatello, ID Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Pocatello City Code § 9.16.080 targets noise from vehicles specifically. It bans operating any vehicle commonly known as a sound truck, or any vehicle carrying a mounted loudspeaker or sound amplifier that broadcasts amplified sound to the public at large. It separately bans using, operating or permitting the use of radios, CD players, tape players, phonographs, vehicle stereo systems and similar devices mounted in or on a vehicle loudly enough to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of people outside the vehicle who did not choose to hear it.

The section deems any sound louder than necessary for the hearing of the vehicle's own occupants to be excessive. Emergency vehicles and persons engaged in school-related or sports-related promotional activities and lawful parades are exempt for the duration of the activity. Like the general excessive-noise section beside it, § 9.16.080 sits in chapter 9.16, whose stated purpose (§ 9.16.010) is protecting public health, comfort and the peace and quiet of city residents. Because the section itself carries no separate fine schedule, enforcement by the Pocatello Police Department falls under the citywide misdemeanor penalty in § 1.04.040.