Noise Ordinances in South Bend, IN (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for South Bend, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Residential noise is capped at 55 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM and 62 dBA during the day under Sec. 13-82. Sec. 13-57 separately bars sound plainly audible 50 feet away, presumed a violation between 11 PM and 7 AM.
South Bend Quiet Hours & Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, Sec. 13-82 (Stationary noises)
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause the sound pressure level to exceed the limits listed below at any point on the boundary of the property.
Construction Hours
South Bend bars construction noise, defined as erecting, demolishing, altering, or repairing any building, outside 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays under Section 13-57(c)(10). Work outside those hours needs an urgent-necessity permit from the Building Commissioner, capped at 3-day increments. A first violation of the unreasonable-noise section costs $100, rising to $500 for a third offense.
South Bend Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, § 13-57(c)(10); § 13-57.05(a)
(10)The erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration or repair of any building, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the Building Commissioner. The permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three (3) days or less while the emergency c...
Barking Dogs
South Bend treats a pet whose frequent or long-continued noise disturbs neighbors as an unreasonable noise violation. Fines escalate from $100 for a first offense to $250 for a second and $500 for a third and every offense after that.
South Bend Barking Dog Nuisance Rules
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, Sec. 13-57(c)(5)
(a)Prohibited. No person shall make, or cause to be made any unreasonably loud, raucous, prolonged, unnatural or unusual noise in time and place. Noise shall be deemed to be unreasonable when it disturbs, injures, or endangers the peace or quiet safety, or health of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivity within the city...(c)Illustrative enumeration. The following acts are declared to be un...
Leaf Blower Rules
South Bend has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Sec. 13-83 exempts mechanically powered lawn and garden tools from the noise-limit article between 7 AM and 10 PM, so daytime use is allowed; overnight, the general nuisance rule applies.
South Bend Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, Sec. 13-83 (Exemptions and exceptions)
The use of mechanically powered lawn or garden tools, lawnmowers, snowblowers, air conditioning units, or construction tools or equipment are exempt from the provisions of this article, during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music that exceeds the 55/62 dBA property-line limits (Sec. 13-82) or is plainly audible 50 feet away (Sec. 13-57) is prohibited, and is presumed illegal overnight. Playing noncommercial music in public places requires a Board of Public Works permit.
South Bend Amplified Music & Party Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, Sec. 13-57(c)(2)
or which is plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located and unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of neighbors in residential or noise sensitive areas, including multifamily or single-family dwellings.
Decibel Limits
South Bend caps noise from light motor vehicles, cars, motorcycles, ATVs and trucks under 8,000 pounds, at 80 dB(A) measured 15 feet from the source, anywhere in the city, at any time, under § 20-122. Modified or defective exhausts, tire squealing, and excessive revving that push noise past that limit are separately banned under § 20-123. A first offense carries at least a $50.00 fine, rising to $250.00 for a third violation.
South Bend Motor Vehicle Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances §§ 20-121, 20-122, 20-125
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause noise levels from the operation or use of light- motor vehicles in excess of eighty (80) dB(A) in any area within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend, Indiana, at any time. Such noise level limit shall be measured on a distance of not less than fifteen (15) feet from the noise source. (Sec. 20-122) Light-motor vehicles. Any automobile, van...
Vehicle Noise
South Bend caps motor vehicle noise at 80 dB(A) citywide, measured at least 15 feet from the source, and separately bans excessive noise from modified exhausts, revving, tire squealing, or car stereos under Code of Ordinances Article 12.
South Bend Vehicle Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Code of Ordinances Ch. 20, Sec. 20-122 (Noise limit)
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause noise levels from the operation or use of light- motor vehicles in excess of eighty (80) dB(A) in any area within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend, Indiana, at any time. Such noise level limit shall be measured on a distance of not less than fifteen (15) feet from the noise source.
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