Elkhart County, IN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Elkhart County Code § 94.03(B)(5)-(6)
- Muffler standard
- No failed, broken or defective exhaust system
- Tire/revving standard
- No unreasonable squealing, acceleration or revving
- Decibel ceiling
- 83 dBA at 15 feet (§ 94.03(C))
- First-offense fine
- $250 to $2,500 (§ 94.99(B))
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Elkhart County only
Summary
Elkhart County bans operating a car, motorcycle or other vehicle with a broken or defective muffler, or in a way that creates unnecessary engine noise, tire squeal or excessive revving. A vehicle that stays plainly audible 50 feet away after a termination request, or crosses the county's 83-decibel ceiling, is a citable violation.
The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle (“motor vehicle”) so out of repair, to include a failed, broken or defective muffler or exhaust system, or so loud, or in any other way misused or defective, so as to create an unreasonable sound and/or unnecessary engine noise, or grating, grinding, rattling or other noise. The use of any such motor vehicle in such a manner or condition such that the noise created by such use shall be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle after a termination request shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this division (B)(5), though no termination request shall be required for the issuance of a citation under § 94.99 if the noise emanating from such motor vehicle is constant, continued or repeated. ... (6) The operation of any motor vehicle in such a manner as to create an unreasonable or excessive noise by the squealing of tires, the rapid acceleration of the vehicle or the revving of the engine.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-23: Supplement contains: Current through local legislation passed on or before July 31, 2025; and State Legislation current through 2025 Indiana Legislative Service, Pamphlet #3).
Full Breakdown
03(B)(5) and (B)(6) target vehicles themselves rather than horns or stereos. Division (B)(5) prohibits operating a motor vehicle that is "so out of repair, to include a failed, broken or defective muffler or exhaust system, or so loud, or in any other way misused or defective," in a way that creates unreasonable sound, unnecessary engine noise, or grating, grinding or rattling. Division (B)(6) separately bars operating a vehicle to create unreasonable or excessive noise through tire squealing, rapid acceleration or engine revving. As with the chapter's other vehicle provisions, a defective-muffler violation under (B)(5) generally needs a termination request first, unless the noise is plainly audible 50 feet from the vehicle on a constant, continued or repeated basis, in which case no warning is required before a citation issues.
Tire-squeal and revving violations under (B)(6) carry no termination-request requirement in the text; either can be cited outright once the noise is unreasonable or excessive. 03(C), 83 dBA measured 15 feet from the source, regardless of whether a warning was given. C. 34-28-5, and the rule applies only within the unincorporated county area, not inside the cities and towns Elkhart County contains.
Violations & Fines
§ 94.99(B) sets fines of $250 to $2,500 for a first violation, $500 to $2,500 for a second within two years, $1,000 to $2,500 for a third, and $1,500 to $2,500 for each further violation in that period, plus court costs, prosecuted as an infraction under I.C. 34-28-5 and I.C. 9-30-3-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a loud exhaust or aftermarket muffler illegal in Elkhart County?
Can I get cited for revving my engine or squealing my tires?
What if my car's exhaust noise is measured with a decibel meter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elkhart County
Compare Elkhart County to another location·View the Indiana noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.