Stratford, CT Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Stratford handles vehicle noise inside Chapter 142, the Town of Stratford Noise Control Ordinance adopted by the Town Council. Section 142-7(A) subjects all motor vehicles operated within the limits of the Town of Stratford to the noise standards and decibel levels in the regulations authorized by Section 14-80a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Section 142-7(B) covers car stereos and similar equipment: no sound-amplifying device on or within a motor vehicle shall emit noise above the levels specified in § 142-5. That section makes it unlawful to emit noise beyond the boundaries of your premises above the chapter's standards, and the chapter defines an emitter's premises to include contiguous publicly dedicated street and highway rights-of-way. Where background noise already exceeds the standards, a source is excessive once it tops the background by five dBA, and no source subject to the chapter shall emit more than 80 dBA at any time.

Section 142-6(B)(6) separately bars discharging the exhaust of any motor vehicle or motorboat engine into the open air except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises. The chapter defines a muffler as a device for abating sounds such as escaping gases. Section 142-6(B)(1) restricts horns to danger signals and prohibits any unreasonably loud or harsh sound from a vehicle signal device.

Section 142-7.1, added by Ordinance No. 09-07 on 7-13-2009, targets motorcycles. It is unlawful for the operator of a motorcycle to unnecessarily race the engine, backfire it, or cause any other unnecessary engine noise, and no person shall operate a motorcycle in a way that draws the public's attention to the noise it creates. Noise made by a governmental entity in the performance of its official duty is carved out. Section 142-6(B)(9) adds a heavy-vehicle limit: no engine on a standing motor vehicle over 10,000 pounds manufacturer's gross vehicle weight shall run for more than 10 minutes when parked on residential premises or on a Town road next to residential premises.

Section 142-7(C) assigns enforcement of the vehicle section to the Chief of Police and his designated subordinates. Separately, § 142-9 authorizes the Director of Health or a designated representative to inspect noise sources and take measurements.