San Clemente, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Stereo curfew
- 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. property-line rule
- Governing sections
- SCMC § 8.48.070(B), (F), (H)
- Exhaust requirement
- Effective muffler required
- Traffic exemption
- General traffic exempt except listed noises
- Enforcement
- Administrative citation, Ch. 1.16 penalty
Summary
San Clemente bans playing a car radio or stereo loud enough to disturb others or cross a property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and separately requires every vehicle exhaust to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise, under Section 8.48.070(B) and (F).
B.Radios, phonographs, etc. on Private Property or Within Vehicles in Public. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, receiving set, television set, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, or similar device, on private property or within vehicles in public, which produces or reproduces sound:1.In such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of a person of normal sensitiveness.2.At any time with louder volume than is necessary to provide convenient hearing of the device by voluntary listeners located in the same room, vehicle or chamber as the device.3.Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line or at any time to violate the provisions of Sections 8.48.050 and 8.48.060. ... F.Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Traffic: Supplement 30 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
060. 070(F) bars discharging the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle into the open air except through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noises, reaching modified exhaust systems and straight pipes as well as a car in general disrepair. 070(H) adds a related prohibition on operating any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or driven in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding or rattling noise. 090(L), except for these specific prohibited noises, and remains separately subject to the noise limits of the California Vehicle Code.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the vehicle stereo or exhaust noise rules in Section 8.48.070(B) or (F) is deemed a prima facie violation of the chapter under subsection (Q) and treated as a public nuisance under Section 8.48.010, cited through the City's administrative citation program under Chapter 1.20. The default Section 1.16.010 penalty applies absent a more specific fine: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction with fines of $100, $200 and $500 for repeated offenses within one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cited for playing my car stereo too loud in San Clemente?
Is a loud aftermarket exhaust illegal in San Clemente?
Are ordinary cars on the street exempt from the noise chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Clemente
California rules heatmap·Compare San Clemente to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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