Train Horn Laws in Los Angeles California
Los Angeles County hosts the largest passenger and freight rail network on the West Coast. FRA grade-crossing horn rule applies to every public crossing. Quiet-zone segments are scattered across the city and adjacent jurisdictions.
Disclaimer
Informational only — verify quiet-zone status with the City of Los Angeles and the FRA Quiet Zone Database. Quiet-zone status varies by individual crossing and may differ for adjacent municipalities like Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena.
Federal framework
Under 49 CFR § 222, every locomotive must sound • • — • at 96–110 dB at every public highway-rail crossing. Quiet zones require FRA-approved supplemental safety measures.
Los Angeles rail context
- Metrolink — 7 commuter rail lines (Antelope Valley, Burbank, Inland Empire–Orange County, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura County)
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner — LA Union Station to San Diego (and SLO northbound)
- Amtrak long-distance — Coast Starlight (Seattle), Southwest Chief (Chicago), Sunset Limited (New Orleans), Texas Eagle
- BNSF — heavy freight to Port of LA / Long Beach
- Union Pacific — heavy freight, intermodal
- LA Metro Rail — light rail (A/E/L/B/D lines) — Metro is a different regulatory regime than FRA-rail; some Metro lines run at-grade
- Tehachapi Loop (county) — major freight corridor north of LA
Quiet zones in LA
LA County has many established quiet zones, but coverage is patchwork. Adjacent municipalities (Burbank, Glendale, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera) each manage their own quiet zone applications.
- FRA Quiet Zone Database — search by city / county
- City of Los Angeles
- Metrolink — official site
Vehicle train horn rules — California state law
Vehicle horns follow California Vehicle Code. Train horns at 147+ dB are generally allowed for installation; routine use on public roads typically violates state code. See our California train horn laws.