Troy, NY Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Chapter 201 of the Troy City Code, enacted by the Troy City Council, lists vehicle noise among the acts declared loud, disturbing and unnecessary in § 201-4, an enumeration the code says is not exclusive.

Under § 201-4(B), no person shall use an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such a manner as to create loud, unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise, or operate a vehicle so as to cause unnecessary noise by spinning or squealing the tires or revving the motor. The muffler rule is the sharpest: no person shall modify the muffler, exhaust system or other noise control device of any vehicle in a manner that increases noise above what the vehicle emitted when newly manufactured, regardless of the date of manufacture. Noise-control devices on any vehicle operated in the City must be maintained in good working order, and operating a vehicle with a modified or unmaintained device is itself prohibited.

Section 201-4(D) bans discharging into the open air the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, motor vehicle or boat engine or motor except through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noises. Section 201-4(A) covers horns: sounding a horn on a stationary vehicle is barred except as a danger signal when an approaching vehicle is apparently out of control. Car stereos fall under § 201-4(J), which bars sound-reproducing equipment that produces unreasonable or unnecessary noise at any time.

Section 201-4(C) governs motor-powered recreational vehicles, including snowmobiles, not licensed for public streets under the Vehicle and Traffic Law. They cannot be operated on another owner's private property without express prior written consent, which the operator must keep on his or her person for immediate display, or on any public grounds including parks, ball parks and recreation areas, or in a manner that creates unnecessary noise. Private clubs that allow such vehicles in connection with the principal use of their property are excepted from the consent rule.