ARTICLE 2.5. Noise Limits [27200. - 27207.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 2.5.
in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27200. Section 27200.

(a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not register on a dealer’s report of sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of travel under test procedures established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. (b) The Department of Motor Vehicles may accept a dealer’s certificate as proof of compliance with this article. (c) Test procedures for compliance with this article shall be established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, taking into consideration the test procedures of the Society of Automotive Engineers. (d) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit specified in this article, and for which noise emission standards or regulations have not been adopted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574). (e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces noise that exceeds or in any way violates the noise emission standards or regulations adopted for such a motor vehicle by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574). (f) As used in this section, the term “register” is equivalent to the term “licensing” as used in Section 6(e)(2) of the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574; Title 42, United States Code, Section 4905(e)(2)).

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27202. Section 27202.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any motorcycle, other than a motor-driven cycle, manufactured: (1) After 1969, and before 1973 88 dbA (2) After 1972, and before 1975 86 dbA (3) After 1974, and before 1986 83 dbA (4) After 1985 80 dbA

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27202.1. Section 27202.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a person shall not park, use, or operate a motorcycle, registered in the State of California, that does not bear the required applicable federal Environmental Protection Agency exhaust system label pursuant to Subparts D (commencing with Section 205.150) and E (commencing with Section 205.164) of Part 205 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. A violation of this section shall be considered a mechanical violation and a peace officer shall not stop a motorcycle solely on a suspicion of a violation of this section. A peace officer shall cite a violation of this section as a secondary infraction. (b) A violation of this section is punishable as follows: (1) For a first conviction, by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100). (2) For a second or subsequent conviction, by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (c) (1) The notice to appear issued or complaint filed for a violation of this section shall require that the person to whom the notice to appear is issued, or against whom the complaint is filed, produce proof of correction pursuant to Section 40150. (2) Upon producing proof of correction to the satisfaction of the court, the court may dismiss the penalty imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) for a first violation of this section. (d) (1) This section is applicable to a person operating a motorcycle that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, or a motorcycle with aftermarket exhaust system equipment that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2013. (2) Penalties imposed pursuant to this section are in addition to penalties imposed pursuant to any other applicable laws or regulations. (3) This section does not supersede, negate, or otherwise alter any other applicable laws or regulations.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27204. Section 27204.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any motor vehicle within the specified manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating and date of manufacture: GVWR—Pounds Date of Manufacture Noise Limit—dbA Over 6,000 after 1967 and before 1973 88 Over 6,000 after 1972 and before 1975 86 Over 6,000 after 1974 and before 1978 83 Over 8,500 after 1977 and before 1982 83 Over 6,000 but not over 8,500 after 1977 80 Over 8,500 but not over 10,000 after 1981 80 Over 10,000 after 1981 and before 1988 83 Over 10,000 after 1987 80

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27206. Section 27206.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any other motor vehicle, not specified in this article, manufactured: (1) After 1967, and before 1973 86 dbA (2) After 1972, and before 1975 84 dbA (3) After 1974 80 dbA

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27207. Section 27207.

No motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and equipped with an engine speed governor shall produce a sound level exceeding 88 dbA, measured on an open site at a distance of 50 feet from the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, when its engine is accelerated from idle with wide open throttle to governed speed with the vehicle stationary, transmission in neutral, and clutch, if any, engaged. Test procedures for compliance with this section shall be established by the department, taking into consideration the procedures of the United States Department of Transportation. The procedures may provide for measuring at other distances, in which case the measurement shall be corrected so as to provide for measurements equivalent to the noise limit established by this section measured at 50 feet.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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