Noise Ordinances in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Indianapolis (Marion County consolidated city) has no flat numeric decibel quiet-hour limit, but Revised Code section 391-302 makes amplified sound, whistles, engines, and trash pickup that are plainly audible off the property between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prima facie evidence of unlawful unreasonable noise.
Nighttime Quiet Window: 10 PM-7 AM Plainly-Audible Rule
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), sec. 391-302(a)-(b) (Code 1975, sec. 18-2; G.O. 30, 2006, sec. 1)
(a) For purposes of this chapter, unreasonable noise shall mean sound that is of a volume, frequency, or pattern that prohibits, disrupts, injures, or endangers the health, safety, welfare, prosperity, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivities within the city, given the time of day and environment in which the sound is made. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this sect...
Construction Hours
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(9) prohibits the erection, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building, or excavation for it, between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the bureau of license and permit services grants a permit. Pile drivers and heavy hoisting equipment face the same 7 PM-7 AM ban under section 391-302(c)(13).
Construction Banned 7 PM-7 AM Without a Permit
Heavy RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), sec. 391-302(c)(9)
(9) Construction or repairing of buildings. The erection, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building, or the excavation therefor between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except: a. In the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the bureau of license and permit services of the department of code enforcement, which permit ...
Barking Dogs
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(4) makes it a violation to keep any animal or bird that makes unreasonable noise and to fail to prevent the noise from continuing after being asked to stop. There is no fixed time-duration threshold; the test is 'unreasonable noise.'
Barking Dogs and Animal Noise Prohibited
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), sec. 391-302(c)(4)
(4) Animals or birds. The keeping of any animal or bird that makes unreasonable noise and the failure to prevent the continuation of the unreasonable noise after being asked to do so.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(2) prohibits radios, loudspeakers, sound amplifiers, and musical instruments that make unreasonable noise, and treats sound that is plainly audible off the property between 10 PM and 7 AM, or more than 75 feet away in a public place, as prima facie evidence of a violation.
Amplified Sound: Plainly Audible Off Property or 75 Ft
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), sec. 391-302(c)(2)
(2) Machines and devices for producing sound. Playing, using, or operating, or permitting to be played, used, or operated, any radio, television, digital media player, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, musical instrument, or any machine or device for producing or reproducing sound in a manner that makes unreasonable noise and continuing to do so after being asked to stop, except when a permit grant...
Decibel Limits
Indianapolis's zoning code sets no numeric decibel cap. Instead, Sec. 740-401.B.5 bars any use established after April 8, 1969 from emitting sound across its own lot lines at a level that endangers public health, safety or welfare, or injures property, a nuisance-based standard enforced alongside seven companion limits on vibration, odor, glare, and waste.
Indianapolis Zoning Bars Noise Across Lot Lines
Some RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Chapter 740, Sec. 740-401.A and .B.5 (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)
A. Applicability. All uses established or placed into operation after April 8, 1969 shall comply with the following performance standards. No use in existence on April 8, 1969 shall be so altered or modified as to conflict with these standards. ... 5. Noise. No use shall emit sound beyond the lot lines in such a manner or intensity to endanger the public health, safety, or welfare, or cause inj...
Vehicle Noise
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(6) bans operating any vehicle, engine, or motor with straight pipes, muffler cutouts, bypasses, or exhaust that bypasses the muffler, and section 391-302(c)(1) prohibits unreasonable horn use, with off-property nighttime audibility (10 PM-7 AM) treated as prima facie evidence.
Vehicle Horns and Modified Exhaust Banned
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), sec. 391-302(c)(6)
(6) Exhausts blowers, engines, and motors. The operation or use of any engine, motor, power unit on a motorboat, motor vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle or craft of any kind, blower or power fan in a manner that makes unreasonable noise and continuing to do so after being asked to stop, except when a permit granted therefor for some special occasion is in effect; or operation or possession ...