5 rules for unincorporated St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated St. Joseph County noise runs on Indiana's disorderly-conduct law (IC 35-45-1-3); South Bend caps residential sound at 55 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 62 dBA daytime under Code Sec. 13-82.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances 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... If the property is located within a residential district: (a) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the octave-band levels shall not exceed the following standards... This is equivalent to a broadband sound level of fifty-five (55) dBA....
South Bend Code Sec. 13-83 exempts construction tools and equipment from noise limits only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; outside that window construction noise must meet the strict 55 dBA nighttime residential cap.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances 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.
South Bend Code Sec. 13-81 makes it a nuisance to keep any animal or fowl causing frequent or long-continued noise that disturbs neighbors; unincorporated St. Joseph County handles barking through Animal Care and Control.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-81(c)
Animals and fowl: The harboring or keeping of any animal or fowl which shall cause frequent or long continued noise which disturbs or annoys the quiet, comfort or repose of persons.
South Bend Code Sec. 13-83 exempts lawn and garden tools, lawnmowers, and snowblowers from noise limits from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Indiana has no gas leaf-blower ban.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances 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.
South Bend Code Sec. 13-57 bars amplified sound plainly audible 50 feet from the source that disturbs neighbors; operating it that way between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is prima facie a violation.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-57(c)(2)
Using, operating, or permitting to be played, used or operated any radio, television, boombox, stereo, radio receiving set, musical instrument, or other machine or device that produces or reproduces sound... 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 reside...
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