Cobb County Noise Ordinance: Decibel Limits, Hours, and Penalties

In unincorporated Cobb County, the noise ordinance sets a daytime limit of 70 dBA and a nighttime limit of 65 dBA, measured from wherever the person complaining is located. Daytime runs from 7:00 a.m. to 10:59 p.m., and nighttime covers 11:00 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. Violations are prosecuted under the county’s general penalty provision and can bring fines, jail time, or a court injunction ordering the noise to stop.1Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50 – Environment, Article VII Noise

Decibel Limits and Hours

Section 50-257 of the county code sets the two thresholds. From 7:00 a.m. to 10:59 p.m., any noise louder than 70 dBA at the complainant’s location is unlawful. From 11:00 p.m. to 6:59 a.m., the limit drops to 65 dBA at the same point of measurement. The “A” in dBA refers to the A-weighted decibel scale, which reflects how the human ear perceives loudness.1Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50 – Environment, Article VII Noise

The same limits apply everywhere the ordinance reaches. Zoning classification does not change the threshold, so a home near a commercial corridor gets the same 70/65 dBA protection as one deep in a residential subdivision.

Noises Banned Regardless of Volume

Section 50-258 lists specific noises the county treats as violations without requiring a decibel reading. The list is not exhaustive, but these categories are called out by name:

  • Vehicle horns and signaling devices used for anything other than a genuine danger warning, including extended honking and horns powered by engine exhaust.
  • Radios, phonographs, musical instruments, and other sound-producing equipment operated in a way that disturbs neighboring residents.
  • Amplified loudspeakers used to broadcast commercial messages onto public streets; any street announcement must be made in a person’s own unamplified voice.
  • Yelling, shouting, whistling, or singing on public streets that disturbs people in nearby homes, offices, or hotels.
  • Engine exhaust discharged without a working muffler, including generators (with carve-outs for medical emergencies, power outages, and routine maintenance testing).
  • Vehicles so poorly maintained or improperly loaded that they produce loud grinding, rattling, or grating sounds.
  • Sound trucks and vehicle-mounted amplifiers used in a way that creates a public nuisance, except for vehicles on necessary public business.
2Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50-258 – Enumeration of Prohibited Noises

Construction and building repair also fall under Section 50-258, subject to permitted hours built into the ordinance. A noise source can violate either the decibel cap in Section 50-257 or the categorical bans in Section 50-258 on its own.

Barking Dogs and Other Animal Noise

Two different sections of the code cover animal noise. Under Section 50-258(5), keeping any animal or bird whose frequent or prolonged noise disturbs the comfort of nearby residents is unlawful. Horses, livestock, and poultry are excluded, provided they are kept in line with county zoning rules.2Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50-258 – Enumeration of Prohibited Noises

Separately, Section 10-9 of the animal services ordinance defines a “nuisance animal” as one that barks, howls, or makes other noise for more than 15 minutes. It also covers any animal that seriously annoys a neighboring household and interferes with the reasonable use of that property.3Cobb County Georgia. Nuisance Animals For a chronic barking problem, the 15-minute rule in Section 10-9 is usually easier to document than a decibel reading.

Where the Ordinance Applies

The county noise rules cover unincorporated Cobb County only. Addresses inside the city limits of Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, Austell, or Powder Springs fall under each city’s own noise ordinance and are enforced by the city police. Many neighborhoods that look and feel suburban are actually unincorporated, so the county code applies to them.1Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50 – Environment, Article VII Noise

Penalties

Section 50-257(a) makes noise violations punishable under the county’s general penalty provision in Section 1-10.1Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 50 – Environment, Article VII Noise That section caps fines and jail time at the maximum allowed for county ordinance violations under Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60, which governs magistrate court penalties.4Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 1-10 – General Penalty, Continuing Violations

Ongoing violations carry a second risk. Section 1-10 treats continuous violations as a nuisance and allows the county to seek an injunction in court forcing the noise to stop. Paying a fine does not close off that separate action.4Cobb County, Georgia – Code of Ordinances. Cobb County Code 1-10 – General Penalty, Continuing Violations

How to Report a Noise Violation

If the noise is happening right now, call the Cobb County Police Department non-emergency line at (770) 499-3911. Officers can respond to active disturbances and issue citations on the spot. Call 911 only if there is a safety threat.

For ongoing or recurring problems that don’t need an immediate response, use the county’s online code enforcement complaint portal, which is available at any hour through the Citizen Access website. You’ll need to accept a disclaimer before submitting, and the site may require pop-ups to be enabled in your browser.5Cobb County. Submit a Code Enforcement Complaint

To file by phone or ask for help with the online system, contact the Code Enforcement Division at (770) 528-2180 or codeenforcement@cobbcounty.org.6Cobb County Georgia. Enforcement For persistent barking or other animal noise, Cobb County Animal Services handles complaints under Section 10-9.3Cobb County Georgia. Nuisance Animals