Fishers, IN Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption
- Car/burglar alarms conditionally exempt
- Condition
- Must be checked, shut off promptly
- If not silenced
- General 80-decibel limits apply
- Enforced by
- Fishers Police Department
Summary
Fishers exempts burglar and car alarms from its noise ordinance's decibel and time limits, but only if the alarm's cause is investigated and it's turned off within a reasonable period: an open-ended alarm can still draw a complaint.
Burglar and car alarms and other warning devices, when properly installed, providing the cause for such alarm or warning device sound is investigated and turned off within a reasonable period of time.
(C) City, school or other governmental entity sanctioned parades, festivals, carnivals, fairs, celebrations, athletic events, concert performances, band and drum corps performances, artistic performances and the like, as well as any rehearsals for same.
(D) The emission of sound for the purposes of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency or the testing of such equipment, or for the performance of emergency construction, repair or other work.
(E) Sounds associated with the normal operation of the Gun Club (14926 East 113th Street, Fortville, IN 46060), church bells, cannon salutes, Conner Prairie’s re-enactments or Symphony on the Prairie, and boat racing horns on Geist Reservoir during a bona fide practice or race used by an official of the race or practice, when such sounds are within the normal range appropriate for such use.
(F) Subject to the other provisions of this section, and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, those sounds associated with motor vehicles lawfully operating on city, county, state, and federal streets and highways.
(G) Sounds associated with the operation of aircraft or snow removal equipment.
(H) Sounds emitted by emergency, generators in the event of power failure,
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 051826E, passed 5-18-26; and Resolution No. R051826C, passed 5-18-26; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2026 Acts, Pamphlet #1).
Full Breakdown
Fishers, Indiana's noise ordinance generally bars devices from exceeding 80 decibels in daytime or being plainly audible at night, but City Code § 98.03(B) carves out an exception for 'burglar and car alarms and other warning devices, when properly installed, providing the cause for such alarm or warning device sound is investigated and turned off within a reasonable period of time.' The exemption is conditional: a car alarm that keeps sounding without anyone checking on it loses the protection and can expose the vehicle owner to a citation under the general noise limits in § 98.02. Fishers Police handle enforcement.
Violations & Fines
An alarm left blaring past a reasonable time loses its § 98.03(B) exemption and falls under the § 98.02 decibel and time-of-day limits, exposing the owner to a citation from Fishers Police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my car alarm exempt from Fishers' noise ordinance?
What happens if a car alarm won't stop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fishers
Compare Fishers to another location·View the Indiana noise from specific sources overview
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