Turlock, CA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- TMC § 5-28-110(i)
- Mufflers required
- commercial maintenance equipment/machinery
- Refuse truck curfew
- no residential pickup 6pm–5am
- Vehicle repair/testing
- barred anytime if it disturbs neighbors
Summary
Turlock enforces the state Vehicle Code's motor-noise, horn, and off-highway limits locally, requires commercial maintenance equipment to run proper mufflers, and bars refuse collection in residential areas between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.
It shall be the policy of the City to enforce those sections of the Vehicle Code of the State of California regarding motor vehicle noise limits and equipment violations which create noise problems, motor vehicle horns, sound levels emitted from off-highway vehicles operating off the public right-of-way, and successors thereof. Commercial maintenance equipment and machinery shall be equipped with proper mufflers and air-intake silencers in good working order.
(2) Refuse collection vehicles. No person shall collect refuse with a refuse collection vehicle between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day in a residential area.
(3) Vehicle, motorboat, and aircraft repair and testing. No person shall repair, rebuild, modify, or test any motor vehicle, motorboat, or aircraft in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property line or at any time to violate the provisions of this chapter.
(j) Powered model vehicles. Operating or permitting the operation of powered model vehicles so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line or at any time to violate the provisions of this chapter.
(k) Emergency signaling devices.
(1)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937289; v6 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
TMC § 5-28-110(i)(1) makes it City policy to enforce the state Vehicle Code's motor vehicle noise limits, equipment violations, horn rules, and off-highway sound levels, and requires commercial maintenance equipment and machinery to carry proper mufflers and air-intake silencers in good working order. Related subsections bar refuse collection in residential areas between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. (§ 5-28-110(i)(2)), and prohibit repairing, rebuilding, modifying, or testing a motor vehicle, motorboat, or aircraft in a way that creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line, at any time (§ 5-28-110(i)(3)).
Violations & Fines
An infraction citywide under TMC § 1-2-01; the City Attorney may elevate a repeat violation to a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and six months in County Jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Turlock have its own vehicle noise limit separate from state law?
Can I test-run or repair a loud car engine at home in Turlock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Turlock
California rules heatmap·Compare Turlock to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle vehicle noise.