Terrebonne Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Distance/volume limit
- Audible past 25 ft. or over 70 dB
- 1st offense fine
- $100
- 2nd offense fine
- $250
- 3rd+ offense fine
- $500
- Jake brake ban
- Dream Come True Rd; part of Savanne Rd
- Sound permit fee
- $25, max 3 days, via planning dept.
Summary
Terrebonne Parish caps sound from a vehicle's radio, TV, loudspeakers or music system at a level audible beyond 25 feet or exceeding 70 decibels, whether the noise comes from inside or outside the vehicle. The parish declares louder vehicle sound a nuisance under § 19-5. First offenders pay a $100 fine, second offenders $250, and third and later offenses draw a $500 fine.
In the case of motor vehicles, "excessive noise" means sound produced by radio, television, loudspeakers, musical equipment or devices, within the interior or on the exterior of motor vehicles, which is audible at a distance of seven and one-half (7.5) meters (twenty-five (25) feet) or exceeds seventy (70) decibels in volume. ... It is further declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the health and safety of the citizens of the parish for any person to produce excessive noises from motor vehicles, including the generation of sound produced by radio, television, loudspeakers, musical equipment or devices, within the interior or on the exterior of motor vehicles, which is audible at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet (seven and one-half (7.5) meters) or exceeds seventy (70) decibels. ... Any person violating this section pertaining to noise emanating from ... motor vehicles, upon conviction thereof shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense, shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the second offense, and shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the third and all subsequent offenses.
Full Breakdown
Section 19-5 of the Terrebonne Parish Code treats loud vehicle sound systems as a public nuisance separately from noise inside buildings. 5 meters) or that exceeds seventy decibels. Subsection (b) declares that producing such sound from a vehicle is a nuisance detrimental to the health and safety of parish residents, whether the vehicle is parked or moving on a street, alley, highway or other public area. Enforcement escalates with repeat violations: subsection (c) sets a $100 fine for a first vehicle-noise conviction, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or any later offense, separate from the harsher jail-eligible penalties that apply to excessive noise from buildings.
The section exempts horns and warning devices used to signal danger or summon law enforcement, activity under a valid temporary sound permit issued by the parish planning department (capped at three days and a $25 fee, per subsection (e)), and bells or carillons at a church, synagogue or school. The parish separately bans engine, or 'Jake,' brakes along the entirety of Dream Come True Road and along a stretch of Savanne Road between 2636 Savanne Road and Southdown Mandalay Road under Terrebonne Parish Code § 18-8, with posted 'No Jake Brakes Permitted' signs marking those zones.
Violations & Fines
A first conviction for excessive motor vehicle noise under § 19-5 carries a $100 fine, a second conviction $250, and a third or later conviction $500, with no jail term specified for vehicle-source offenses, unlike the up to 90-day sentences that apply to building-source violations of the same section. Driving with a running engine brake through a posted 'No Jake Brakes Permitted' zone on Dream Come True Road or the marked stretch of Savanne Road separately violates § 18-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a car stereo legally be in Terrebonne Parish?
What's the fine for a loud vehicle stereo in Terrebonne Parish?
Are Jake brakes illegal in Terrebonne Parish?
Can I get a permit for loud music at an event in Terrebonne Parish?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Terrebonne Parish
Compare Terrebonne Parish to another location·View the Louisiana noise ordinances overview
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