(A) Purpose. Excessive vehicle noise offense procedures established pursuant to this section are intended to provide the public and the city with a means to limit the exposure to noise pollution created by vehicles operating within the city limits. These procedures shall be established by uniform regulations as to what the offenses of excessive vehicle noise are by definition, what type of offenses these are, and what the penalty shall be for those who have been charged with the offense.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ENGINE RETARDING BRAKE. A Dynamic Brake, Jake Brake, Jacobs Brake, C Brake, Paccar Brake, transmission brake, or other similar engine retarding brake system, which alters the normal compression of the engine and subsequently releases that compression.
ABNORMAL OR EXCESSIVE NOISE.
(a) Distinct and loudly audible noise that unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort and repose of any person or precludes their enjoyment of property or affects their property’s value;
(b) Noise in excess of that permitted by M.S. § 169.69, as it may be amended from time to time, which requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with a muffler in good working order; or
(c) Noise in excess of that permitted by M.S. § 169.693, as it may be amended from time to time, which establishes motor vehicle noise standards.
(C) Excessive vehicle noise.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge the exhaust or permit the discharge of the exhaust from any motor vehicle, except through a muffler that effectively prevents abnormal or excessive noise and complies with all applicable state laws and regulations.
(2) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any truck to intentionally use an engine retarding brake on any public highway, street, parking lot, or alley within the city which causes abnormal or excessive noise from the engine because of an illegally modified or defective exhaust system, except in an emergency.
(D) Signing. Signs stating “VEHICLE NOISE LAWS ENFORCED” or “NO JAKE BRAKES” may be installed at locations deemed appropriate by the City Council to advise motorists of the prohibitions contained in this section, except that no sign stating “VEHICLE NOISE LAWS ENFORCED” shall be installed on a state highway without a permit from the State Department of Transportation. The provisions of this section are in full force and effect even if no signs are installed.
(Ord. O-17-12, passed 11-13-2017) Penalty, see § 70.99