Imperial County, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Imperial County addresses motor vehicle noise in unincorporated areas in two ways. First, Section 90702.01 of Title 9, Division 7 makes it unlawful to operate any motor vehicle, on any site other than a public street or highway, in a manner that exceeds the noise levels permitted for on-highway motor vehicles as specified in the table for '45 mile-per-hour or less speed limits' in Section 23130 of the California Vehicle Code, adjusted for distance using Table 1 in the ordinance. The maximum pass-by noise is normally measured at 50 feet from the centerline of travel, with corrections ranging from -6 dB at 25 feet to +6 dB at 100 feet. This explicitly covers off-highway use of mini-bikes and go-carts, which the ordinance defines as motor vehicles. The provision does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles, including sirens and horns, used in emergencies. Second, Section 90703.02(A) declares the unnecessary use or operation of horns or other signaling devices on automobiles, motorcycles or any other vehicle to be a disturbing, excessive or offensive noise. On public streets and highways themselves, vehicle exhaust and muffler noise is governed by the California Vehicle Code (including the muffler requirements of Section 27150) and enforced by law enforcement, not by the County land use ordinance. Refuse and street-sweeping vehicles have a separate restriction (Section 90702.03) barring operation between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in residential areas without a permit.