Loud Exhaust Patrol Cites Over 1,500; Resident Riders Make Noise

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Want to ride or drive with growling exhaust through Laguna Beach? The local authorities are trying to put a stop to that, 2020 style.

Nothing makes a person enjoying a cup of coffee and a morning boardwalk stroll jump higher than the blasting noise of loud exhaust motorcycles. After numerous residents' complaints, the city of Laguna Beach continues its quest to halt loud exhaust on such significant thoroughfares as South Coast Highway.

According to California's noise ordinance, 95 decibels is the legal limit for exhaust systems, though police can "exercise their judgment" if a vehicle causes a nuisance. According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, in Laguna Beach, if it's over 80 decibels, it's too loud for the city.

In a recent report, since January 2020, Laguna Beach Police have issued 1,634 Loud Exhaust and Speeding Citations to drivers. According to the Laguna Beach Police, funds from fix-it tickets stay with the courts, with a small percentage returned to the police department.

Several residents weighed in on the city's noise ordinance, some lauding it, while riders stand apart. What officials consider nuisance noise is actually at California emissions standards.

Father and son duo Alan and Elliot Cook feel that authorities are singling out Laguna Beach recreational riders. The Cook's frequently ride along the coast or to the store in town. Their bikes have stock exhaust systems, neither modified for loud exhaust, Alan Cook tells Patch. The family's Hypermotard 1260, Enduro Monster 1200S, and StreetFighterV4S are all properly exhaust rated in California, not to exceed the allowed exhaust decibels, he says.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, both Alan and Elliot Cook were pulled over as they headed to the store in the middle of the afternoon. The pair were riding in the area of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway when pulled over, Alan Cook says.

"I got a warning ticket," Alan Cook tells Patch. "My son got a $188 fix-it ticket."

According to Cook, needing to fix something that was approved by the state and came straight from the factory is ludicrous.

"It's a degree of violation," Alan Cook tells Patch. "There are bikes much louder, causing a nuisance at 15 or 20 decibels over the limit."

According to the Cooks, friends have had similar issues, ticketed while riding through town. Most pay the tickets, as they don't want the hassle of fighting it out in court. As for Elliot Cook's fix-it ticket, they are undecided about whether to pay, fix the stock exhaust system, or battle the noise ordinance.

"I work in family law, and am familiar with the courts," Alan Cook tells Patch. "It seems like Laguna Beach is engaging in practices that violate my rights."

According to Laguna Beach, Sgt. James Cota, if you get a noise violation ticket, and feel your bike's exhaust system is within legal limits, "by all means, take it to the judge, and let the judge make the call. They may dismiss it."

If you receive a fix-it ticket and make the fix, you will not need to pay the ticket as well, Cota says.

"Straight pipes on motorcycles is a constant issue when you live near PCH," Tony Bisson commented over Facebook. "I can't say I'm against fining some of them because they take peace away from a lot of residents."

Resident Cecci Sal Elgueta agrees, saying that sometimes the sound is heard as late as 2 a.m.

Others weighed in with areas they feel need to be patrolled, such as Broadway and 3rd Street, Park Avenue at Wendt, and close to the Digester entrance.

Still, Laguna Beach has found a revenue stream that works through the citations. According to resident Matt Whitcomb, the city needs "to ensure that noise ordinance signs are clearly posted throughout the city," he writes. "With Laguna being a major tourist destination, ticketing won't likely have a significant impact on noise unless a significant portion of the offenders are locals."

What do you think about the noise restriction tickets? Let us know in comments, or by emailing your Laguna Beach Patch editor.