If a new Madison County law is approved, it might restrict “consistent, obnoxious” noise

Anderson, Indiana – If approved in its current form, a new Madison County rule would restrict “consistent and obnoxious noise” in the county, such as “yelling, hooting, whistling, hollering, or singing in a public place.”

regulation No. 2025-BC-O-01, the county’s new noise regulation pertaining to the “abatement of unlawful noises,” has had one reading. According to county authorities, the ordinance will be brought up for public comment at the upcoming Madison County Commissioners meeting.

According to the ordinance, overly loud noises may violate the rights of Madison County residents and property owners. According to the county, loud noises may also divert pedestrians and drivers, making it difficult for them to hear other cars or emergency vehicles.

The county mentions a number of loud noises that would be forbidden if the law is approved in its current form, as stated in section two. This comprises:

• Sounding of any horn or signaling device on any motor vehicle except as a danger warning
• Radios, musical instruments, cell phones, and phonographs that produce sound “in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort” of neighbors or is at a “louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the person who is in the location the device is.
• Operation of any engine, motor, power unit on a motorboat, motor vehicle blower or power fan that makes “unreasonable noise and continues to do so after being asked to stop.”
• Constant or consistent barking of a single dog or multiple dogs, or the constant or consistent loud noises from any domestic animal kept by the owner.
• Participation in or permitting of any parties or gatherings which could create loud or raucous noise.

Within the ordinance, the county includes some exceptions to the ordinance, like:

• Sounds emitted from emergency vehicles
• Events approved by the appropriate governmental authority including:
• Parades, festivals, concerts, band/drum corps performances
• Attendant nose connected with atheltic or sporting events and practices
• Sounds from the use of consumer fireworks between the hours of 7 a.m. and Midnight, or two hours after sundown

The current version of the ordinance stipulates that violators may be penalized $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

“Anyone who permits continuous and/or consistent noise will be fined at least the third subsequent offense penalty for each day that the noise persists after being instructed to cease or control it,” the draft ordinance states.