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Waukee council advances noise‑control changes to target modified vehicle exhausts and hold property owners responsible
Summary
Council approved a first reading of amendments to Chapter 52 (Noise Control) that align city code with state definitions, expand enforcement to intentionally modified vehicle exhausts, and assign responsibility to property owners or managers when amplified sound exceeds decibel limits.
The Waukee City Council gave first reading to amendments to Chapter 52 of the city code to align local noise standards with state definitions, address intentionally modified vehicle exhaust systems, and make property owners or managers responsible when amplified sound on their premises exceeds permitted decibel levels.
Chief (police chief) explained the proposed changes, saying the amendments are largely grammatical and definitional but include two substantive changes. The first would allow enforcement action against vehicles that intentionally produce excessive noise — commonly described in the transcript as “muffler poppers” — even where the manufacturer or aftermarket parts create the sound. “That currently does not city code references a defective muffler or a bypass, and these are, operating as… Their manufacturers do that. So this, code amendment would change that to prevent excessive noise or noise outside of what that vehicle comes from the manufacturer with, which would then give us some enforcement power on the backside, to address some of these, rather obnoxious poppers,” the chief said.
The second substantive change expands potential responsibility beyond the individual operating sound equipment by including the property owner or manager when amplified sound exceeds the code’s maximums. The chief said the current wording holds only the operator responsible and does not hold owners or managers of restaurants, houses or event venues accountable.
Council voted to approve the first reading and title only of the ordinance as introduced. Staff said the changes align city code with state definitions and add enforcement clarity; the proposal did not include requested decibel values in the council discussion. The amendment will return for additional readings and possible adoption at a subsequent meeting.
Why it matters: The amendments give municipal enforcement more explicit authority to address vehicle exhaust modifications and to pursue responsible property owners or managers when noise originates from private property.
