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Committee approves amended noise ordinance to target loud vehicle mufflers, clarifies enforcement and exceptions
Summary
The committee approved an amendment to the municipal noise code to make certain motor-vehicle noise audible in a dwelling unit a violation, with exemptions for emergency and city-approved events; MNPD will handle moving violations and codes will require equipment for decibel-based prosecution.
The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday approved an amendment to section 9.20.28 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws addressing motor-vehicle noise, targeting loud mufflers and repeated disturbances while clarifying enforcement and exceptions.
Council member Kuvan, the bill’s lead sponsor, said the ordinance aims "to address motor vehicle noise in downtown throughout the city, such that if the noise is audible in a residential, dwelling unit, that it would be a code violation." He said the draft was revised to avoid unintentionally criminalizing electric vehicles and that he had an amendment to clarify exemptions.
The amendment, which the sponsor described as excluding "metro or emergency vehicles or anything that is done in the business of a metro-approved event," passed on a voice vote. Council member Spain asked how enforcement would work; Matt Purvis, council liaison for the Department of Transportation, said enforcement of the chapter is implemented under a memorandum of understanding that currently deputizes codes staff and NDOT to enforce the noise chapter. Purvis also noted that the MOU includes a termination provision tied to amendments: "I will say it's important to note the MOU we currently have does say that if this chapter is additionally modified, it is immediately voided. The MOU does not the legislation, but the MOU says so."
Purvis further explained that moving violations (for example, a vehicle observed in motion with loud exhaust) are handled by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and that code-based prosecutions would typically require specified equipment to measure decibel levels. Council member Coopman said he had consulted Deputy Chief Gilder to confirm MNPD’s willingness to assist and acknowledged enforcement challenges when a noisy vehicle has already left the scene.
Supporters said the amendment is a step toward addressing recurring loud-muffler complaints. The committee approved the amended ordinance by an 8-0 vote.
