Santa Rosa, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Tire-squeal ban
- "Pandemoniac" vehicles banned citywide (Section 17-16.130)
- First offense
- Infraction, $25 maximum fine
- Repeat offense
- Misdemeanor
- State standard
- Vehicle Code Section 23130 noise limits apply
- Exemption
- Designated raceway or dragstrip areas
- Repair noise
- Loud repairs in residential areas also barred
Summary
Santa Rosa outlaws 'pandemoniac' vehicles built or driven to create tire-squeal noise on any street, and separately caps ordinary vehicle noise at the levels set by California Vehicle Code Section 23130. Municipal Code Sections 17-16.130 and 17-16.150 punish a first tire-squeal violation with a $25 infraction fine, rising to a misdemeanor for repeat offenders.
§ 17-16.130. Pandemoniac vehicles defined—Prohibited—Violation—Penalty. (A) Defined. A "pandemoniac motor vehicle" is a motor vehicle of any appearance, performance or capability, designed, constructed or operated in such a manner as to create audible noise related to tire friction by accelerating said vehicle. (B) Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to operate a pandemoniac motor vehicle on any street or in any other place within the City. (D) Penalty. A first violation of this section shall constitute an infraction with a maximum penalty of $25.00... A second and subsequent violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. § 17-16.150. Motor-driven vehicles—Noise. It is unlawful for any person to operate any motor-driven vehicle within the City in such a manner that a reasonable person of normal hearing sensitivity residing in the area is caused discomfort or annoyance. Motor vehicles shall not exceed the noise levels set forth and provided for in Section 23130 of the California Vehicle Code.
Full Breakdown
Article III of Chapter 17-16 regulates vehicle noise. 130 defines a 'pandemoniac motor vehicle' as one 'designed, constructed or operated in such a manner as to create audible noise related to tire friction by accelerating said vehicle,' targeting deliberate tire-squeal and burnout noise, and makes operating one on any street or place in the City unlawful. ' Penalties escalate: a first violation is an infraction capped at $25, and the suspect can be released on a written promise to appear, but a second or later violation becomes a misdemeanor.
140 rounds out the article by making it unlawful to repair, rebuild, or test a motor vehicle in a residential area in a way that causes a neighbor discomfort or annoyance, covering the loud engine revving and testing that often accompanies home auto repair. Together, these three sections give Santa Rosa police three separate tools, tire-squeal, general vehicle noise tied to the state numeric standard, and residential repair noise, to cite noisy vehicle activity without needing a sound-level reading in every case.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the pandemoniac-vehicle ban under Section 17-16.130 is an infraction with a maximum $25 fine; a second or later violation is a misdemeanor. Violating the general vehicle-noise standard in Section 17-16.150 or the repair-noise rule in Section 17-16.140 falls under Chapter 17-16's default misdemeanor penalty in Section 17-16.050, with each day of a continuing violation charged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cited for peeling out or doing burnouts in Santa Rosa?
Is there a numeric noise limit for cars driving through Santa Rosa?
Can I get in trouble for revving my car while fixing it at home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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