• Animal control (.pdf)
• Curfew (.pdf)
• Fireworks (.pdf)
• Mailbox damage (.pdf)
• Noise (.pdf)
• Off-road vehicles (.pdf)
• Work site safety (.pdf)

• Bicycle safety
• DUI enforcement
• Identity theft (.pdf)
• Self defense training

Indiana law
• Criminal code
• Traffic code

Public records
• Request form (fillable form)
• State law

Sex offender registries
• Indiana
• National

Area law enforcement
• Elkhart County Prosecutor
• Bristol Police Department
• Elkhart Police Department
• Goshen Police Department
• Nappanee Police Department
• Indiana State Police
• Department of Natural Resources

Safety organizations
• Safe Kids Elkhart County
• TRIAD
• Amber Alert
• Missing and exploited children

New animal rules in effect starting this year
New rules now govern the keeping of household pets, livestock and dangerous animals in Elkhart County.

By ordinance, the Elkhart County commissioners have ruled domestic animals shall be kept clean with access to a good living environment. They shall be vaccinated against rabies and kept from impeding the progress of any pedestrian or vehicle in the right of way. Also, any stray without identification that is located or brought to animal-control representatives shall be kept for a minimum of three days.

A dangerous animal must be registered with Elkhart County code enforcement officials. Owners must pay a $500 registration fee and provide a certificate of liability coverage, among other details.

Any individual bit or attacked by an animal should contact law enforcement by calling 911 or (574) 533-4151. The ordinance states the process for how the animal will be impounded and the owner kept accountable.

To read the complete ordinance, click here.

Local fireworks ordinance sets dates, times
The Elkhart County commissioners have enacted rules specific to the use of consumer fireworks.

Violations of the ordinance, approved in December 2007, may lead to fines of up to $500. The commissioners have included a provision allowing for permits. In terms of enforcement, the sheriff's department will treat fireworks as a separate issue, not in conflict with the county's noise ordinance.

In general, consumer fireworks consist of aerial devices (including sky rockets, spinners and shells), ground audible devices (such as firecrackers and chasers), or combinations of the two. These types of items may be used only during specific times:

• Between 10 a.m. and midnight July 4;
• From 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset between June 29 and July 9 (excluding the provisions made for the Fourth of July); and
• Between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Items such as sparklers, smoke devices and noise makers are not included in the list of consumer fireworks.

Residents wanting to report ordinance violations may call the Public Safety Communications Center at 533-4151. Emergencies involving the use of fireworks should be reported immediately by dialing 911.