Lafayette, IN Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Chapter 11.02's motor vehicle noise section, § 11.02.040, has two operative rules. Subsection A sets the 80-dBA quantitative ceiling covered under Lafayette's decibel-limits rule; subsection B instead targets specific noisy driving behaviors without requiring a metered reading, making it unlawful to operate a light motor vehicle which causes excessive noise as a result of a defective or modified exhaust system or as a result of rapid acceleration, deceleration, engine revving or tire squealing. The chapter's definitions section, § 11.02.010, defines a modified exhaust system as one where the original noise abatement devices have been removed, altered or replaced to produce more noise, so an aftermarket muffler or straight-piped exhaust is squarely covered even if an officer never runs a decibel test.

A light motor vehicle is defined broadly to include automobiles, vans, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, motor scooters, dune buggies, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, go-karts, minibikes, trail bikes and light trucks under 8,000 pounds gross weight. Because subsection B is a conduct-based standard rather than a numeric one, the Lafayette Police Department can cite a driver for aggressive revving or a modified exhaust based on an officer's observation of the vehicle's operation, without needing the sound-level meter that § 11.02.990(E) authorizes for decibel disputes.