Noise ordinances › Forsyth County, GA

Forsyth County noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: November 9, 2026

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Quiet hours in Forsyth County

Forsyth County's noise article names no single block of quiet hours. Its general rule applies at any hour, and several rules tighten at night. Any hour: it is unlawful to make or continue any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others in the unincorporated areas of the county (Sec. 34-152(b)). A radio, musical instrument, phonograph or other sound machine may not be played so as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants, or louder than is reasonably necessary for convenient hearing by the voluntary listeners in the room, vehicle or chamber where it is (Sec. 34-153(1)). 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.: such a device plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure or vehicle it is in is prima facie evidence of a violation, meaning enough to prove one unless it is rebutted (Sec. 34-153(1)); and the night decibel limit for noise from and onto residentially zoned property applies, 60 dB(A) or 10 dB(A) above ambient, whichever is more (Sec. 34-153(10)a). 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.: the limit for that noise is 70 dB(A) or 10 dB(A) above ambient, whichever is more (Sec. 34-153(10)b), and a list of daytime activities is exempt from it (Sec. 34-153(10)e). Construction: erecting (including excavating), demolishing, altering or repairing a building, or running a pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, hoist or similar equipment, attended by loud or unusual noise, is prohibited other than between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. (Sec. 34-153(4)); the text makes no weekend or holiday distinction. Dumpsters: loud and excessive noise from emptying dumpsters is prohibited other than between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. (Sec. 34-153(5)). No clock at all: noisy animals (Sec. 34-153(3) and Sec. 14-37), loudspeakers or amplifiers casting sound on public streets for commercial advertising (Sec. 34-153(2)), drums or other devices used to draw attention to a performance, show or sale (Sec. 34-153(7)), unreasonably excessive noise on streets beside schools, courts, churches and hospitals where conspicuous signs are displayed (Sec. 34-153(6)), vehicles operated so as to disturb or unduly annoy the inhabitants of a dwelling (Sec. 34-153(8)) and engine brakes (Sec. 34-153(9)).

Decibel limits

Yes, but for one kind of noise only. Sec. 34-153(10), headed "Maximum sound levels in residential zones", says its limits apply only to noise originating from and entering onto a residentially zoned property. Night, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.: no source of sound may create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building in excess of 60 dB(A) or ten dB(A) above ambient levels, whichever is more, when measured at or outside the property boundary (Sec. 34-153(10)a). Day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.: 70 dB(A) or ten dB(A) above ambient levels, whichever is more, measured the same way (Sec. 34-153(10)b). Because the limit is the higher of the two figures, it rises where the background is already loud. Article IV has no definitions section, so it does not define ambient levels or say how they are measured. In a multifamily building, a code enforcement officer or Sheriff's officer may, when the owner or tenant asks, measure sound coming from common areas or from other dwelling units, at a point at least four feet from the wall, ceiling or floor nearest the noise source, with doors to the receiving area closed and windows in the normal position for the season (Sec. 34-153(10)c). An officer may decline to act even when the thresholds are met, if the officer believes the noise is not of a sort that would disturb an individual of reasonable sensitivities (Sec. 34-153(10)d). Exempt from the daytime limit only (Sec. 34-153(10)e): band, athletic and other school-sponsored activities on school grounds; athletic contests and other officially sanctioned activities in county parks; construction, repair, maintenance, remodeling, demolition, grading or other improvement of real property (still subject to the 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule in Sec. 34-153(4)); gardening, lawn care, tree maintenance or removal and other landscaping; church bells or carillons; religious or political gatherings and other First Amendment activities; activities where state or federal law has preempted noise regulation; and public and private transportation, refuse collection and sanitation services. Where the decibel standards and the listed acts in Sec. 34-153(1) to (8) conflict, the decibel standards control (Sec. 34-153(11)). Measurement: the decibel level may be measured with a sound level meter, and the reading is prima facie evidence of the level; the officer issues a certificate stating that the meter was operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, that the County has on file a sworn report that the meter was tested within the past 12 months and found accurate, the name of the accused, the location, the date and time, and the reading (Sec. 34-157). No decibel limit covers noise that does not both start on and enter residentially zoned property, such as noise from a commercial or industrial site: that noise is judged by the disturbance rule in Sec. 34-152(b) and the listed acts in Sec. 34-153. The 50-foot night test for radios and instruments is a hearing test, not a decibel limit (Sec. 34-153(1)).

What the ordinance actually says

§ 34-152(a): "It shall be unlawful and punishable as provided in herein, for any person within the unincorporated areas of the county to violate any of the provisions of this article."

§ 34-152(b): "It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others in the unincorporated areas of the county."

§ 34-153(1): "The operation of the set, instrument, phonograph, or other machine or device, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph."

§ 34-153(4): "Construction or repair of buildings. The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building, as well as the operation of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist, or any other similar equipment, attended by loud or unusual noise, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. is prohibited."

§ 34-153(5): "Dumpsters. The creation of a loud and excessive noise in connection with emptying dumpsters other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. is prohibited."

§ 34-153(8): "The operation of motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, motor driven cycles, and mopeds, in a manner that creates excessive noise, including the continuous riding of any such vehicle past, around or near an inhabited dwelling place, so as to disturb or unduly annoy the inhabitants is prohibited."

§ 34-153(9): "It shall be unlawful for the driver of any motor vehicle to use or operate any engine brake, compression brake or mechanical exhaust device designed to aid in the braking or deceleration of any vehicle that results in excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise from such vehicle, unless such use is necessary to avoid imminent danger."

§ 34-153(9)a: "The provisions of the ordinance codified in this section shall be in full force and effect even if no signs are installed."

§ 34-153(9)b: "The enforcement of this section shall be within the jurisdiction of Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Forsyth County Code Compliance who may issue a citation for prosecution in Forsyth County Magistrate Court for each violation of this article. Penalties for cases prosecuted in Magistrate Court are governed by the maximum identified in O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60."

§ 34-153(10): "Maximum sound levels in residential zones. For purposes of this subsection (9), the limits below apply only to noise originating from and entering onto a residentially zoned property."

§ 34-153(10)a: "Nighttime. Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, no person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in excess of 60 dB(A) or ten dB(A) above ambient levels (whichever is more), when measured at or outside the property boundary."

§ 34-153(10)b: "Daytime. Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, no person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. in excess of 70 dB(A) or ten dB(A) above ambient levels (whichever is more), when measured at or outside the property boundary."

§ 34-153(10)d: "Discretion. An enforcement officer shall have discretion, even if the decibel thresholds in paragraphs (a) and (b) are satisfied, to not take enforcement action if the enforcement officer believes the noise is not of a sort, given the totality of the situation, that would disturb an individual of reasonable sensitivities."

§ 34-153(12): "Any citation or warning, as applicable, issued by an enforcement officer for a noise violation under section 34-153(9)a., b., and c. shall be issued to the owner of the residential dwelling or property from which the noise originated."

§ 34-156(h): "Enforcement of this article shall be stayed as to any person filing an application for a special variance pursuant to this section, until such time as the application is acted upon by the appeals board."

§ 34-157(a): "The decibel level of any noise regulated by this article may be measured by the use of a sound level meter which measures sound pressure levels. Such measurements shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the level of noise at issue in any court or legal proceeding to enforce the provisions of this article."

§ 1-12(a): "Whenever in this Code or in any other ordinance of the county any act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense, or the doing of any act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful, where no specific penalty is provided, the violation of such provision shall be punishable by the imposition of a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of time not to exceed 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, or up to the limits of any penalty provided by state law for the ordinance."

§ 1-12(b): "Each day any violation of this Code or other ordinance shall continue shall constitute a separate offense."

§ 14-37(a), as printed on the Sheriff's Office Animal Control page: "No owner or keeper of an animal shall allow an animal to annoy or disturb any person not on the premises of the owner or keeper of the animal by unreasonable barking or other noises. For the purpose of this section, unreasonable barking or other noises shall mean barks, bays, cries, howls or other noises that are continuous or incessant for a period of 15 minutes, or occurs intermittently for a period of 30 minutes or more."

Quoted verbatim from the official text (Forsyth County Code Chapter 34 Article IV (Noise), Secs. 34-151 to 34-157, with the barking rule in Chapter 14, Sec. 14-37. Code of Forsyth County, Georgia on Municode, "Codified through Ordinance No. 96-H, adopted September 18, 2025. (Supp. No. 43)", online content updated on May 8, 2026 (version dated May 8, 2026): Chapter 34 (Environment), Article IV (Noise), which an amendment of October 20, 2003 enacted in place of the former article (derived from Ord. No. 80, adopted May 5, 1998): Sec. 34-151 (Amendment of 10-20-2003); Sec. 34-152 (Amendment of 10-20-2003, § I); Sec. 34-153 (Amendment of 10-20-2003, § II; Ord. No. 80-A, § 1, 7-19-2018; Ord. No. 80-B, 6-19-2025), which Municode marks as modified in this version; Sec. 34-154 (Amendment of 10-20-2003, § III); Sec. 34-155 (Amendment of 10-20-2003, § IV); Sec. 34-156 (Amendment of 10-20-2003, § V; Amd. of 12-1-2011); Sec. 34-157 (Ord. No. 80-A, § 2, 7-19-2018). Sec. 14-37 (Animals disturbing the peace) was read as printed on the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Animal Control page; Municode's search results confirm the section number and title, but the section was not opened on Municode. Municode lists six adopted ordinances not yet codified (adopted 2/5/26 to 10/1/26); none is titled as a noise change. The Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-12 (General penalty; continuing violations) in Chapter 1 (General Provisions), was read in the same version. O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60, which Sec. 34-153(9)b cites for penalties, was not read. Text read 2026-11-09.). Verified against the live code on 2026-11-09. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Forsyth County

For noise happening now in unincorporated Forsyth County, call the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office 24-hour non-emergency dispatch line, 770.781.3087, and call 911 for an emergency. The County's film permit page says violations and any questions related to the noise ordinance are handled through the Sheriff's Office, and the code has a code enforcement officer or Sheriff's officer take any decibel reading (Secs. 34-153(10)c, 34-157(c)). The Sheriff's contact page also lists Permits & Ordinance at 770.781.2105 and headquarters at 770.781.2222. Forsyth County Code Compliance (main line (678) 513-5893, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) is named beside the Sheriff's Office as an enforcer in Sec. 34-153(9)b. The County's Report a Problem page takes a Code Compliance Complaint through its online reporting portal or the Connect2Forsyth mobile app, and says Code Compliance accepts anonymous complaints but cannot give follow-up information on them. That page describes Code Compliance reports as violations of the Unified Development Code and does not name noise, so the Sheriff's line is the route the County's pages support for a noise problem. Penalty: Sec. 34-153(9)b says the Sheriff's Office and Code Compliance may issue a citation for prosecution in Forsyth County Magistrate Court for each violation of the article, and that penalties there are governed by the maximum identified in O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60. The article prints no dollar figure (its former penalty section, Sec. 34-157, was replaced in 2018 by the sound measurement section), and that statute was not read for this page. The County Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-12, covers acts made unlawful where no specific penalty is provided: a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, or both, or up to the limits of any penalty state law provides for the ordinance, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense. A citation or warning under the residential decibel limits goes to the owner of the dwelling or property the noise came from (Sec. 34-153(12)). For a barking dog, call Sheriff's Office Animal Services (Animal Control), 770.781.2138: its page says the offense can be reported to Animal Control to investigate. The article covers only the unincorporated areas of the county, so inside the City of Cumming check with the city. Sources: https://www.forsythsheriff.org/resources/contact-us/, https://www.forsythsheriff.org/resources/animal-services/, https://www.forsythco.com/government/departments/planning-community-development/film-and-video-production-permit/, https://www.forsythco.com/government/departments/building-licensing/code-compliance/ and https://www.forsythco.com/report-a-problem/.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Forsyth County. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

(1) Jurisdiction: the article applies to the unincorporated areas of the county (Sec. 34-152(a), (b)), and its findings cite O.C.G.A. § 36-1-20 as authorizing county ordinances for the unincorporated areas (Sec. 34-151(b)). It does not reach inside the City of Cumming, whose rules were not read for this page. The map linked from this page is Atlanta's, because the county's own places are not in the map data; Atlanta has its own noise ordinance (see the Atlanta page), which this page does not cover. (2) A numbering trap: the residential decibel limits now sit in paragraph (10) of Sec. 34-153, but their own text still calls them "this subsection (9)", and paragraphs (11) and (12) still point to subsection 34-153(9) for the decibel standards. Paragraph (9) is now the engine brake rule. The section's history ends with Ord. No. 80-B of 6-19-2025, and the Board of Commissioners' minutes of May 1, 2025 record the first of two required public hearings on an amendment to prohibit compression brakes, engine brakes or jake brakes. Cite the paragraph by its heading as well as its number. (3) The decibel limits are narrow: they cover only noise that starts on and enters residentially zoned property, the limit is the higher of the fixed figure and 10 dB(A) above ambient, an officer may choose not to act even above the limit (Sec. 34-153(10)d), and the citation or warning goes to the owner of the dwelling or property the noise came from (Sec. 34-153(12)). (4) The exemptions in Sec. 34-153(10)e are from the daytime limit only. School events, lawn care, church bells and the rest are not listed as exempt from the 60 dB(A) night limit. (5) Barking: Sec. 34-153(3) bans keeping an animal that makes noise frequently or for a continuous lengthy period so as to unreasonably disturb any person, and sends readers to "section 14-35" of the Animal Control Ordinance for the definition. On the Sheriff's Office page, Sec. 14-35 is the cruelty section and the barking test is in Sec. 14-37: barks, bays, cries, howls or other noises that are continuous or incessant for 15 minutes, or intermittent for 30 minutes or more. Barking is not unreasonable if the animal is responding to a trespass or attempted trespass, and neither rule applies to livestock, poultry or other farm animals from a legitimate farming operation on property zoned for agricultural use. Sec. 14-37(c) adds that the injured person may bring a private nuisance action in magistrate court, and that the animal services department has no jurisdiction to pursue or assist with the abatement of a private nuisance. (6) Engine brakes: using an engine brake, compression brake or similar exhaust device that results in excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise is unlawful unless necessary to avoid imminent danger; the rule is in force even where no signs are installed, and emergency vehicles are exempt (Sec. 34-153(9)). (7) Advertising by loudspeaker on public streets is banned outright, and announcements over loudspeakers can only be made by the announcer in person and without the aid of any mechanical device (Sec. 34-153(2)). (8) Variances: the appeals board can grant a special variance on a showing of unreasonable hardship, with conditions and a time limit, and its decision can be appealed to the Board of Commissioners. Filing an application stays enforcement against the applicant until the appeals board acts (Sec. 34-156). (9) General exceptions (Sec. 34-155, whose opening words say "this section" where the article seems meant): county vehicles on necessary public business; street excavations or repairs by or for the county or state at night when the work cannot be done by day; organized school-related programs, activities, events or parades and other public events authorized by the county or Sheriff's Office; and emergency work. (10) Inspections: a county law enforcement officer may enter a home or other premises to enforce the article only with the occupant's permission; if it is refused, a search warrant on probable cause is required (Sec. 34-154). (11) Penalty: Sec. 34-152(a) calls violations punishable "as provided in herein", but the article no longer has its own penalty section; the only penalty words left are in Sec. 34-153(9)b, which points to the Magistrate Court maximum in O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60 (not read for this page). The Code's general penalty, for acts made unlawful where no specific penalty is provided, is a fine not to exceed $1,000, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense (Sec. 1-12). (12) Car stereos: the article's state law reference points to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-14 for sound from devices within a motor vehicle; that statute was not read for this page.

Document it before you report it

Some of Forsyth County's limits are measured numbers, so a reading can help, and a dated log counts either way. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and see the nearest city we map, on the Atlanta noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.