Scranton, PA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Muffler requirement
- § 317-7A(9)(a), no cutout/bypass
- Sound level cross-reference
- 67 Pa. Code § 157.11
- Idling limit
- 15 min/hour within 250 ft of home
- Sound truck curfew
- 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.
- Max fine
- $600 per violation
- Enforcement
- Bureau of Police
Summary
City Code § 317-7A(9) requires every motor vehicle to run a working muffler, without a cutout or bypass, and bars exceeding the sound levels set by state PennDOT regulation 67 Pa. Code § 157.11 on a public right-of-way. Idling within 250 feet of a home longer than 15 minutes is also barred.
(a) Exhaust system. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device so as to cause a noise disturbance. (b) Maximum permissible motor vehicle sound-pressure levels on public rights-of-way. No person shall operate or cause to be operated a public or private motor vehicle or motorcycle or any equipment attached to such a vehicle on a public right-of-way at any time in such a manner that the sound emitted by the motor vehicle or motorcycle or any equipment attached to such a vehicle exceeds the level set forth in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Regulations Title 67, Chapter 157, Subchapter b, 67 Pa. Code § 157.11, and all amendments thereto.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 317-7A(9), Motor vehicle prohibitions, covers exhaust noise and idling together. Subsection (a), Exhaust system, requires 'a muffler or other effective noise suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation' on every motor vehicle and bars any cutout, bypass or similar device that lets exhaust escape unsuppressed. Subsection (b) sets the numeric backstop: no vehicle or motorcycle operated on a public right-of-way may exceed the sound level fixed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 67 Pa. 11, incorporating the state's own vehicle noise standard into city law by cross-reference rather than setting a separate city decibel figure.
Subsection (c), Standing motor vehicles, bars idling a vehicle or its attached equipment within 250 feet of any residence for more than 15 minutes in any hour if it causes a noise disturbance across the residential boundary, other than for traffic congestion. m.
Violations & Fines
Violating any part of § 317-7A(9), muffler tampering, excess sound level, extended idling, unnecessary horn use, or a sound truck running after 10:00 p.m., is punishable under § 317-11A by a fine of not more than $600 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to remove my car's muffler in Scranton?
What noise standard applies to a loud car exhaust on a Scranton street?
Can I leave my truck idling outside a Scranton house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scranton
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