Town of Washington, Ordinance 26-5.1

No. 442-May 21-1 Time

Ordinance 26-5.1

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING A NEW SECTION PROHIBITING THE USE OF ENGINE BRAKES, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS “JAKE BRAKES,” WITHIN THE TOWN LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER.

Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Town of Washington, Oklahoma, finds that excessive and unusual noise created by engine compression braking or similar devices may disturb the peace and quiet of the town; and

Whereas, the Town desires to regulate the unnecessary use of engine brakes within town limits, except where needed for safety or emergency purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA:

Section 1. Amendments. Chapter 18 Section 136 of the Town of Washington Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding a new section to read as follows:

Section 18-136. Use of dynamic braking services prohibited.

(a) A dynamic braking device (commonly referred to as Jake Brakes, Jacobs Brake, engine brake, or compression brake) means a device, primarily on trucks, that converts the engine from an internal combustion engine to an air compressor for the purpose of braking without the use of wheel brakes.

(b) No person shall operate any motor vehicle with a dynamic braking device engaged within the municipal boundaries of the city, except for emergency situations for the purpose of avoiding a collision with another object or vehicle.

(c) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a municipal offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), plus court costs, fees, and applicable technology fee as established by the Town’s court bond schedule.

Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of these Ordinances are, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of these Ordinances.

Section 3. Repealer. All other Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

ADOPTED AND PASSED by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Washington, Oklahoma, on this 12 day of May, 2026.

SIGNED by the Mayor of the Town of Washington on this 12 day of May, 2026.

/s/ Joel Siria

Joel Siria, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/ Kasey Lesher

Kasey Lesher, Town Clerk

Approved as to form

this 12 day of May, 2026.

/s/ Josh Simpson

Municipal Attorney

(Seal)