Bartholomew County, IN Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Bartholomew County, IN, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Approval required
- County Park Board prior approval
- Without approval
- Amplifiers not permitted at all
- Fine range
- $1 to $500 per violation
- Governing section
- § 99.18, Ch. 99
- Related authority
- I.C. 36-8-2-8 sound regulation
Summary
Musical groups and anyone using amplified sound equipment need the County Park Board's advance approval before performing in any Bartholomew County park, playground or recreational center. Section 99.18 bars amplifiers outright without that sign-off, and a conviction for skipping approval brings a fine of $1 to $500 per day.
Musical groups or other persons using amplifiers shall not be permitted in playgrounds, parks or recreational centers of the county without prior approval of the County Park Board. ... (B) (1) Any person who violates any provision of §§ 99.15 through 99.23 shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than $1, nor more than $500.
Full Breakdown
18 of the Bartholomew County Code regulates amplified sound in the county's park system by requiring prior consent rather than setting a decibel ceiling: musical groups or other persons using amplifiers are not permitted in playgrounds, parks or recreational centers without prior approval of the County Park Board. closing time, 15-mph road speed limit and no-parking zones, all under the authority of the County Park Board established in Chapter 34. C. 36-8-2-8 but does not adopt a separate numeric noise limit for parks; instead, the Park Board decides case by case whether to authorize amplified music, sound systems or PA equipment for an event, concert or gathering on park property.
Anyone planning to bring a speaker system, band setup or DJ equipment into a Bartholomew County park, whether for a wedding, festival or private party, needs the Board's sign-off before the event, not merely a general park reservation. 20.
Violations & Fines
Using amplified sound in a county park without Board approval is punishable under § 99.99(B)(1) by a fine of not less than $1 nor more than $500 upon conviction. Each day the unauthorized amplified use continues, such as an ongoing event running without approval, is treated as a separate offense, and organizers can be barred from future Park Board approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to play music in a Bartholomew County park?
What counts as an amplifier under the park rules?
What happens if I use a speaker system without Board approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bartholomew County
Compare Bartholomew County to another location·View the Indiana noise ordinances overview
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