South Bend, IN Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Second police response to same party
- Notice sequence
- First Response Notice, then Fee Notice
- Citation fine
- $50 per incident
- Fee Notice deadline
- Within 12 hours of first notice
- Billed party
- Host, parent/guardian, or property owner
- Fund
- Law Enforcement Continuing Education Fund
Summary
South Bend charges hosts for repeat police runs to a disorderly party under Section 13-57.1. After a first complaint, officers warn the responsible person the disturbance must stop; a second response for the same disturbance triggers a Disturbance Violation Fee Notice billing the host for police costs, plus a $50 citation payable through the Ordinance Violation Bureau.
(a)Complaint and first response. After a complaint is received about a disturbing or disorderly party or gathering, police officers responding to the complaint must determine if there is, in fact, a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare upon arriving at the location. ... They should further be informed that any continuing disturbance which precipitates another call and a second response by the police will result in a charge to the responsible person for the cost of the police service. ... (e)Costs:(1)The costs of such special security assignment may include minor damages to City property and/or injuries to City personnel. A citation for a single incident violation of this section shall be issued to each violator imposing a fifty dollar ($50.00) fine payable through the Ordinance Violation Bureau as addressed in section 2-213 of this Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
1 sets a two-strike process. On the first response, officers who confirm a genuine threat to public peace, health, safety, or welfare must tell the resident or person in charge that the disturbance has to stop, that the party can continue once it does, and that another call triggering a second response will mean a bill for police service. They hand over a 'First Response Notice,' signed if possible but not required to be valid. If officers return on a further complaint and again find a real disturbance, they issue a 'Disturbance Violation Fee Notice' warning the responsible party will be billed for the personnel and equipment costs of that second response, which the code treats as a 'special security assignment' beyond normal police service.
The 'responsible party' is the person in charge of the premises or event, that person's parent or guardian if a minor, or the property owner of record (per St. Joseph County Assessor records) if no one is found on site; notices for an absent responsible party must be left at the premises and mailed to the owner of record. A Disturbance Violation Fee Notice can be issued up to 12 hours after the First Response Notice. This section doesn't replace enforcement of any other city or state law also broken during the party.
Violations & Fines
A single-incident violation draws a $50 citation payable through the Ordinance Violation Bureau under Section 2-213. Costs of the special police security assignment for a second response, including minor property damage or injury to City personnel, are billed separately to the responsible party, and the City can pursue other legal remedies when those costs exceed $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Bend fine you for a loud party on the first police call?
Who has to pay for a second police response to a South Bend party?
Can South Bend charge more than $50 for a disruptive party?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Bend
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