Evansville, IN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Motorcycle mufflers
- Must meet 40 CFR Part 205
- Stereo limit, night
- Plainly audible beyond 25 feet
- Stereo limit, day
- Plainly audible beyond 50 feet
- Night hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Summary
Evansville requires motorcycle mufflers to meet federal noise standards and bars vehicle stereos from being plainly audible beyond 25 feet at night or 50 feet during the day.
No motorcycle shall be operated stationary or in motion unless it has a muffler that complies with and is labeled in accordance with the Federal Noise Regulations under 40 CFR Part 205.
(2) It shall constitute a violation of this chapter for any person to operate, cause to operate, or use a motor vehicle so as to cause noise levels above 80 dB as a result of a defective or modified exhaust system; acceleration, deceleration, revving, or tire squeal.
(3) Personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction equipment shall not be operated in such a manner that it is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet in any direction from the operator between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(4) Personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction equipment shall not be operated in such a manner that is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the operator between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
(D) Any outdoor event using loudspeakers or other form of artificial or electric amplification may not continue said amplification between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings, and between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
EMC 9.30.050(C) sets specific motor-vehicle noise rules within Chapter 9.30. Motorcycles must run a muffler complying with and labeled under the Federal Noise Regulations at 40 CFR Part 205. Personal or commercial vehicle music amplification cannot be plainly audible more than 25 feet from the vehicle between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or more than 50 feet between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. 'Plainly audible' means an Evansville Police Department or Environmental Protection Agency officer can detect the sound, including its rhythmic bass, using unaided normal hearing, the officer need not identify the song or artist.
Violations & Fines
An unmuffled or noncompliant motorcycle, or a vehicle stereo audible beyond the 25-foot (night) or 50-foot (day) threshold, is a citable violation of EMC 9.30.050(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
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