Taunton, MA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

C(1) of the Taunton Noise Ordinance bars sounding any horn or signaling device on an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle except as a danger warning, and prohibits any unreasonably loud or harsh signaling sound, sounding a device for an unnecessary period, using any signaling device other than one operated by hand or electricity, using a horn or whistle operated by engine exhaust, or sounding a device just because traffic is backed up. Sirens are barred outright unless the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle, defined in Section 315-12 to include fire, police and ambulance vehicles and other City or public-service-corporation emergency vehicles.

C(5) separately targets defective or overloaded vehicles, prohibiting the use of any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise. B reaches vehicle repair shops and garages, barring repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat in a manner plainly audible 50 feet from the lot line where the work is done. Enforcement personnel under Section 315-11 are the Police Chief, the Building Commissioner and the Director of Public Health or their designees, and the Noise Ordinance's general fine schedule applies to a vehicle-noise violation just as it does to any other Chapter 315 offense.