Scranton, PA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 317-7(A)(9) of the City Code is the operative motor-vehicle provision. Subsection (a) (exhaust system): every motor vehicle must be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise-suppressing system in good working order and constant operation; no muffler or exhaust system may be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. Subsection (b) incorporates 67 Pa. Code Section 157.11 (PennDOT vehicle sound-pressure-level regulations) by reference for vehicles on public rights-of-way. Subsection (c) (standing vehicles): no person shall operate any motor vehicle or auxiliary equipment while stationary, for reasons other than traffic congestion, within 250 feet of any residence in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary for longer than 15 minutes in any hour. Subsection (d) (unnecessary horn): horns may be used only as a warning while actually driving. Subsection (e) (sound trucks): truck-mounted PA equipment cannot cause a noise disturbance across a property line at any time, or on a public right-of-way or public space between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Section 317-7(A)(3)(c): exterior burglar alarms and motor-vehicle burglar alarms must automatically terminate within 6 minutes. State-law backstop: 75 Pa.C.S. Section 4523 requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with a muffler and prohibits cutouts, bypasses or similar devices, with PennDOT setting category-specific sound-level limits at 67 Pa. Code Section 157.11. Scranton Bureau of Police is the lead enforcer for Chapter 317; PSP Troop P (Wyoming) covers I-81 and the surrounding state highways.