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Marion, OH Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

Key Facts

Governing section: § 648.04, disorderly conduct, division (A)(2) covers unreasonable noise
Base offense: Minor misdemeanor, fine not more than $150.00
Escalation: Fourth degree misdemeanor if offender persists after warning
School vicinity: Also a fourth degree misdemeanor
Intoxicated conduct: Separate offense under § 648.04(B)
Companion noise rule: § 634.02 prohibits any noise disturbance

Summary

In the City of Marion, Ohio, a loud or unruly party is reached through § 648.04, disorderly conduct, which bars recklessly causing inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another by making unreasonable noise. It is a minor misdemeanor, and becomes a misdemeanor of the fourth degree if the offender persists after reasonable warning or request to desist.

(A) No person shall recklessly cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another, by doing any of the following: ... (2) Making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display, or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any person; ... (E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of disorderly conduct. Except as otherwise provided in this division, disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor. If the offender persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist, or if the offense is committed in the vicinity of a school, disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

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Full Breakdown

The disorderly conduct section in Chapter 648 of the Marion Codified Ordinances is the provision that reaches a party getting out of hand. Section 648.04(A) forbids recklessly causing inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another by any of five acts. Division (A)(1) covers fighting, threatening harm to persons or property, or violent or turbulent behavior. Division (A)(2) covers making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display, or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language. Division (A)(4) covers hindering or preventing the movement of persons on a public street, road, highway or right of way, which is how a crowd spilling into the roadway is handled. Section 648.04 closes with a history note showing it mirrors R.C. § 2917.11.

Division (B) adds a lower threshold for intoxicated guests: no person, while voluntarily intoxicated, shall in a public place or in the presence of two or more persons engage in conduct likely to be offensive or to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to persons of ordinary sensibilities. Under division (D), when a person appears to an ordinary observer to be intoxicated, that is probable cause to believe the person is voluntarily intoxicated.

The noise chapter works alongside it. Section 634.02 says no person shall unreasonably make, continue, or cause to be made, continued or permitted, any noise disturbance, and § 634.01(P) defines a noise disturbance as sound that endangers safety or health, annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers property. Table I in § 634.04 caps residential sound at 70, 65 and 60 decibels across its three time blocks. A City law enforcement officer can issue an abatement order under § 634.08 requiring immediate abatement, and § 634.06 lets officers enter a dwelling to enforce the chapter only with the occupant's permission or a search warrant on probable cause. Section 634.11(B) exempts organized school or church related programs and events authorized by the Mayor.

Violations & Fines

Under § 648.04(E), disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor. If the offender persists after reasonable warning or request to desist, or the offense is committed in the vicinity of a school, it is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Section 698.02 sets the fine for a minor misdemeanor at not more than $150.00, and for a fourth degree misdemeanor at not more than $250 and not more than 30 days in jail. Chapter 634 violations carry the penalty in § 634.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Marion, Ohio have a specific loud party ordinance?

The sections read for this page are the disorderly conduct section, § 648.04, and the Noise Control chapter, § 634.02 and § 634.04. Neither mentions parties by name. Division (A)(2) of § 648.04 reaches making unreasonable noise, and § 634.02 prohibits any noise disturbance, so a party is judged under those general standards.

What happens if police tell the party to quiet down and it continues?

Under § 648.04(E), disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor, but if the offender persists after reasonable warning or request to desist, it is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Under § 698.02, that carries not more than 30 days and a fine of not more than $250. Section 634.08 also lets an officer order immediate abatement.

Can police enter a home to deal with noise?

Section 634.06 lets a City law enforcement officer, on presenting credentials, enter and inspect premises as necessary to enforce Chapter 634, but only if the occupant gives permission. If permission is refused or unobtainable, a search warrant must be obtained on a showing of probable cause that a violation may exist.

Is a drunk guest treated differently?

Yes. Section 648.04(B) forbids a voluntarily intoxicated person, in a public place or in the presence of two or more persons, from conduct likely to be offensive or to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to persons of ordinary sensibilities. Division (D) makes an ordinary observer's view that the person appears intoxicated probable cause.

Sources & Official References

[1]Codified Ordinances of the City of Marion, Ohio (§ 648.04, Ch. 634)

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