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Billings chief backs updated noise ordinance to tackle aggressive driving; council debates fines and enforcement
Summary
The police chief presented amendments to city noise code aimed at vehicle noise and aggressive driving, replacing a decibel-dependent standard with a plainly audible (50-foot) rule to allow officer observation-based enforcement; council discussed mandatory minimum fines and asked staff to return with recommended penalty ranges.
The Billings Police Department presented draft amendments to the citys noise ordinance on March 16 intended to strengthen the city's ability to address excessive vehicle noise tied to aggressive driving.
The draft updates clarify language, remove vague standards, and adopt a plainly audible threshold that allows officers to act when excessive vehicle noise is plainly audible from 50 feet away rather than relying on a decibel meter. Police officials told the council the plain-audibility approach is intended to be a…
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