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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032 - 03/02/2004 - AMENDING THE TRAFFIC CODE RELATING TO MUFFLER NOISE AND TO MORE NARROWLY DEFINE PROHIBITED EXHAUST S ORDINANCE NO. 032, 2004 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING THE FORT COLLINS TRAFFIC CODE RELATING TO MUFFLER NOISE AND TO MORE NARROWLY DEFINE PROHIBITED EXHAUST SYSTEMS WHEREAS, on February 18, 2003, by Ordinance No. 16, 2003, the Council of the City of Fort Collins adopted the Fort Collins Traffic Code (the "Traffic Code"); and WHEREAS,at the time of the adoption of the Traffic Code,it was the understanding of staff and Council that the Traffic Code would most likely be subject to future amendments,not only for the purpose of clarification and correction of errors, but also for the purpose of ensuring that the Traffic Code remains consistent with State traffic laws; and WHEREAS, noise emanating from straight pipe muffler systems is excessive; and WHEREAS,the Council has determined that the Traffic Code amendment which is proposed is in the best interest of the City and its citizens; and WHEREAS, it is the Council's desire to amend the muffler section of the Traffic Code to include a provision prohibiting the operation of motor vehicles which utilize straight pipe exhaust systems. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Section 225 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 225. Mufflers - prevention of noise. (1) Every motor vehicle subject to registration and operated on a highway shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No person shall operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with a straight pipe exhaust system, a cut-off, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all of the requirements of this Section. (2) Any commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 42-4-235, C.R.S., subject to registration and operated on a highway, that is equipped with an engine compression brake device is required to have a muffler. (3) For the purposes of this section, muffler shall mean a device consisting of a series of chamber or baffle plates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and effective in reducing noise. Straight pipe exhaust system shall mean any straight muffler that does not contain baffles, including but not limited to glass packs, steel packs and straight pipes. (4) This Section shall not apply to electric motor vehicles. Introduced and considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this 17th day of February, A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the d day of March, D. 2004. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 2nd day of March, A.D. 2004. . g %% Mayor ATTEST: �U . City Clerk