Greenwood, IN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 6-277 of the Greenwood General Ordinances, the City's general noise regulation adopted under Ordinance No. 99-40 and amended through 2016, prohibits using or operating any machine or device for reproducing sound, which covers vehicle stereos, in a manner that disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants or is louder than necessary for a voluntary listener in the same vehicle or room. Section 6-277(c)(11) carves out a narrow exemption for motor vehicles whose noise comes from a defective or modified exhaust system, but only if the owner repairs it within seven calendar days, and the exemption never excuses drivers from Indiana's own exhaust-equipment statute, I.C.

9-19-8. Section 6-278, adopted separately under Ordinance No. 07-38 in 2007, targets a different vehicle noise source: it bans any person from using an engine compression brake or jake brake to slow, reduce speed or stop a motor vehicle, including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers or box trucks, on any road, street or thoroughfare the City of Greenwood has jurisdiction over, with authorized Fire personnel acting in their official duties exempted. Both provisions escalate penalties on a calendar-year basis, enforced through the Greenwood Police Department: $50.00 for a first offense, $150.00 for a second, $300.00 for a third, and $1,000.00 for the fourth and every subsequent offense.

First offenses fall under the Ordinance Violations Bureau, while later offenses in a calendar year move to Greenwood City Court, and each day a Section 6-277 violation occurs is treated as a separate offense.