Westfield has two city ordinances which govern noise. The legal use of fireworks is an exception to the noise ordinance and the state statute becomes the governing rule.

If you observe any violations of these ordinances, please contact dispatch at 317-773-1300 or call 911 for emergencies or urgent situations.

Noise Ordinance

The ordinance states that no person shall play, use or operate any machine or device for the producing or reproducing or sound, including, but not limited to, loudspeakers, radios, CD players, television sets, musical instruments, phonographs, cassette players or any other machine designed or intended to produce or reproduce sound, not operate any motor vehicle that contains a modified or defective exhaust system, if such machine, device or vehicle is located in or on any of the following:

1. Any public property, including any public right-of-way, highway, building, sidewalk, public space, park or thoroughfare and the sound generated therefrom is clearly audible 40 feet or more from its source, or is at a level of 90 decibels or more when measured from a distance of not less than six feet from its source; or
2. Any private property and the sound generated therefrom is clearly audible 40 feet or more outside of said private property line, or is at a level of 90 decibels or more when measured from a distance of not less than six feet from said private property line.

 The following are exemptions:

1. Sounds emitted from authorized emergency vehicles.
2. Lawn mowers, garden tractors, construction equipment, and power tools, when properly muffled, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. only.
3. Burglar alarms and other warning devices when properly installed, providing the cause for such alarm or warning device sound is investigated and turned off within a reasonable period of time.
4. Parades, festivals, carnivals, fairs, celebrations, concerts, artistic performances or other events authorized by the city council or another appropriate governmental entity.
5. Attendant noise connected with the actual performance of athletic or sporting events and practices related thereto.
6. The emission of sound for the purposes of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency, or for the performance of emergency work.
7. Sounds associated with the use of legal fireworks.
8. Sounds associated with the use of an approved public safety training facility between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
9. Sounds associated with the normal conduct of legally established non-transient businesses when such sounds are customary, incidental and within the normal range appropriate for such use.

To see the ordinance in full as well as violation and penalties, please visit http://bit.ly/1Q7LxLp. In addition to this, the ordinance for nuisances is listed in full here: http://bit.ly/1R0k26P.

Firearms ordinance

The City of Westfield ordinance prohibits the use of firearms within the corporate limits of the city, except for “the reasonable use of firearms in the protection of persons or property, including the protection of livestock or farm animals in an area zoned for agriculture use.”

To view the full ordinance, please visit http://bit.ly/1DHEwYH.

Fireworks Ordinance

The ordinance states that the use of fireworks within the City of Westfield is prohibited at all times and locations with the following exceptions:

1. Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two hours after sunset on Memorial Day weekend (Fri.—Mon.), June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9; and Labor Day weekend (Fri.—Mon);
2. Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on July 4;
3. Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1;
4. Any other time and location duly authorized by the city by permit to be obtained prior to the scheduled event;
5. Use of fireworks is restricted to property owned or authorized for use by the user;
6. Fireworks use is not permitted on city owned property, parks, roads, easements or other publicly owned property without specific approval by the Westfield Fire Chief or his designee;
7. Nothing in this section shall prevent the fire chief, or his designee, from preventing the use of fireworks due to weather conditions or any other safety concern.

To view the full ordinance, please visit http://bit.ly/1AvxlZ9.

Additionally, Indiana Code (under IC 22-11-14-6) states that fireworks must be used either on the users' property or on the property of someone who has given permission. The user must be 18 or be using the fireworks under adult supervision and must not use the fireworks after 11:00 PM or before 9:00 AM, except on a holiday. The holiday hours extend the permissible time to 12:00 midnight. Here is a link to the state statute if you want to look at the entire law: http://bit.ly/1iMpkYt.  

Fireworks Safety Tips

When you are shooting off fireworks, remember these safety tips!

• Never let children handle, play with, or light any fireworks.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• Use a clear, open area and keep your audience a safe distance from the shooting site.
• Do not alter any fireworks device or attempt to make your own fireworks.
• Only purchase and light 1.4G consumer fireworks. Examples include bottle rockets, roman candles, and firecrackers.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Only light one firework item at a time, then move back quickly. 
• Never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework. 
• Have a fire extinguisher, water supply, hose, or bucket of water nearby in case of fire or mishap.  Douse used fireworks with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding them to prevent trash fire.
• Be cautious when lighting fireworks when it is windy. 
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while handling fireworks.
• Never aim, point, or throw fireworks at another person.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Use fireworks outdoors, never indoors.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
• Sparklers burn at extremely hot temperatures from 1200 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Glow sticks make an excellent, safer alternative to sparklers, especially for young children.

For more information on fireworks safety, please visit:

https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

https://www.in.gov/isp/additional-resources/helpful-information/fireworks-safety/