Amplified music rules in St. Joseph County, IN — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
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 targets amplified sound through Sec. 13-57(c)(2): using any radio, stereo, boombox, or similar device so as to unreasonably disturb neighbors, or that is plainly audible at 50 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in residential areas, is unlawful. Operating it that way between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is prima facie evidence of a violation. Sec. 13-81 separately bans noisy parties exceeding the Sec. 13-82 decibel limits. No county party permit exists; in unincorporated areas, amplified noise that continues after a request to stop is disorderly conduct under IC 35-45-1-3.
Amplified-music violations draw South Bend citations of $50, $100, then $250 under Sec. 13-84, with up to $2,500 on conviction. Unincorporated disorderly conduct is a Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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