Indianapolis, IN Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Indianapolis, IN, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Indy Code section 391-302(c)(2)
- Nighttime window
- 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
- Standard
- No flat decibel cap; 'unreasonable noise' plus plainly-audible-off-property tests
- Defined term
- Unreasonable noise (section 391-302(a))
- Enforcement
- Marion County / Indianapolis Code Enforcement; IMPD
Summary
Indianapolis (Marion County consolidated city) has no flat numeric decibel quiet-hour limit, but Revised Code section 391-302 makes amplified sound, whistles, engines, and trash pickup that are plainly audible off the property between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prima facie evidence of unlawful unreasonable noise.
(a) For purposes of this chapter, unreasonable noise shall mean sound that is of a volume, frequency, or pattern that prohibits, disrupts, injures, or endangers the health, safety, welfare, prosperity, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivities within the city, given the time of day and environment in which the sound is made. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any unreasonable noise.
Full Breakdown
Indianapolis enforces nighttime quiet through the consolidated city-county noise law in Title II, Chapter 391, Article III of the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County (the 'Indy Code'). Rather than a single numeric quiet-hours decibel cap, the code (1) broadly prohibits any 'unreasonable noise' at all hours under section 391-302(b), and (2) establishes a 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. nighttime window in which certain sounds are presumptively illegal. Under section 391-302(c)(2), operating a radio, television, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or musical instrument 'in a manner that produces sound plainly audible to a person with normal hearing... from any place other than the property on which the sound source is located when the machine or device is being operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.' is prima facie evidence of a violation.
The same 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. plainly-audible trigger applies to steam whistles (391-302(c)(5)), exhaust blowers/engines/motors (391-302(c)(6)), and the pickup or delivery of trash containers exceeding six cubic feet (391-302(c)(8)). 'Unreasonable noise' is defined in section 391-302(a) as 'sound that is of a volume, frequency, or pattern that prohibits, disrupts, injures, or endangers the health, safety, welfare, prosperity, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivities within the city, given the time of day and environment in which the sound is made.'
Violations & Fines
First violation in any twelve-month period: civil penalty through the ordinance violations bureau (Chapter 103). Second violation: fine not less than $250.00; each subsequent violation: fine not less than $500.00 (section 391-302(d)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indianapolis have set quiet hours?
What makes noise 'unreasonable' under the Indianapolis code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
Compare Indianapolis to another location·View the Indiana noise ordinances overview
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