Tacoma, WA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Jake brake rule
- Banned except in emergencies
- Jake brake penalty
- $100–$1,000 fine
- Stereo audibility limit
- Not audible past 50 feet
- Stereo penalty
- Up to $250 civil infraction
- Fire vehicles
- Exempt from brake ban
Summary
Tacoma bans motor vehicle compression ('Jake') brakes citywide except in genuine emergencies, and separately caps vehicle stereo volume at whatever is audible beyond 50 feet under the traffic code.
Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall use motor vehicle compression brakes within the corporate limits of the City of Tacoma. It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that compression brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons and or property.
B. This chapter shall not apply to vehicles of any municipal fire department, whether or not responding to an emergency.
C. As used in this chapter, the term "compression brakes" means a device which, when manually activated, retards the forward motion of a motor vehicle by the compression of the engine of the vehicle or any unit or part of the engine. "Compression brakes" are also referred to as "jake brakes."
D. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not less than $100.00, and not to exceed $1,000.00 (Ord. 25989 § 1, 1996-12-10)
Full Breakdown
TMC § 8.12.070 makes engine braking unlawful everywhere within Tacoma's city limits: no person may use a motor vehicle's compression ('Jake') brake, with the only defense being an actual emergency application to protect people or property; fire department vehicles are exempt regardless. Separately, TMC § 11.05.131 caps vehicle sound-system volume, radios, CD players, MP3 players and similar devices, at whatever is 'plainly audible' more than 50 feet from the vehicle while it is being driven or stopped for a traffic control device; noise from a parked vehicle instead falls under Tacoma's general noise ordinance at § 8.12.060.
Violations & Fines
Using a compression brake outside a genuine emergency is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100–$1,000 fine under § 8.12.070; playing a car stereo audible past 50 feet is a Class 1 civil infraction up to $250 under § 11.05.131.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can truckers use engine/Jake brakes on Tacoma streets?
How loud can my car stereo legally be in Tacoma?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle vehicle noise.