Tulare County, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Vehicle noise in unincorporated Tulare County is addressed through both the County code and preempting state law. The Social Host Ordinance defines 'Excessive Noise Sources' in Section 5-01-1210(k) to include 'the frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds from starting, operating, repairing, rebuilding, or testing of motor vehicles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, or other off-highway vehicles, or any internal combustion engines,' and Section 5-01-1215(b) caps such sound at 65 decibels at the property boundary. Separately, Chapter 4-23 of the Ordinance Code restricts where off-road vehicles may operate: Section 4-23-1000(a) makes it unlawful to ride or operate any motorcycle, motor bike, off-highway motor vehicle, or all-terrain vehicle on private property or unoccupied public property within one-half mile of any school, hospital, convalescent home, public park, or residential area. For vehicles on public roadways, noise is controlled by California, not the County: Vehicle Code Section 27150 requires every motor vehicle to have an adequate muffler in constant operation to prevent 'excessive or unusual noise,' with no cutout or bypass, and Section 27151 prohibits modifying an exhaust system to amplify or increase noise beyond the limits in Vehicle Code Section 27200 et seq. The County General Plan Noise Element confirms that on-road traffic noise is preempted by state regulation.