Noise from Specific Sources in Roswell, GA

If you live in Roswell or are thinking about moving there, noise from specific sources are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Roswell has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise from specific sources, and some of them might surprise you.

Car Alarm Limits

Roswell, Georgia exempts automobile alarms from its general sound-level limits, but only if the alarm shuts itself off within five continuous minutes, or ten if intermittent, under § 8.8.3(s)(3)b.3. An alarm that keeps sounding past that window loses its exemption and becomes a citable noise violation with escalating fines.

Key details: Governing section: § 8.8.3(s)(3)b.3. Exemption window: 5 min continuous / 10 min intermittent. Same rule applies to: Exterior burglar alarms. First offense: $100-$1,000 civil penalty. Repeat/criminal offense: Up to $2,000 fine, 6 months jail.

An automobile alarm that sounds longer than five continuous minutes (or ten if intermittent) loses its exemption and is a citable noise violation under § 8.8.3(s)(8): a first offense draws a civil penalty of $100.00 to $1,000.00, a second draws $500.00 to $1,000.00, and any further offense is criminal, up to a $2,000.00 fine and six months in jail. A municipal court judge can also order immediate abatement of the alarm.

Bar & Nightclub Noise

Roswell caps sound from bars, restaurants, and nightclubs at 70 dBA daytime and 60 dBA overnight at the property line of nearby homes, enforced under the city's general noise ordinance in Fulton County, Georgia.

Key details: Daytime limit: 70 dBA, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.. Nighttime limit: 60 dBA, 11 p.m.-7 a.m.. Measured at: real property line of receiving property. First offense penalty: $100-$1,000 civil fine. Repeat offense: up to $2,000 fine, 6 months jail.

Exceeding 70 dBA daytime or 60 dBA overnight at the property line is a civil citation; first offense $100-$1,000, second $500-$1,000, third+ criminal fine up to $2,000 and 6 months jail.

Low-Frequency Bass Limits

Roswell, Georgia's noise ordinance sets a separate C-weighted (dBC) limit alongside the standard dBA limit specifically to catch low-frequency bass that dBA measurement underweights, capping it at 60 dBC at night near homes and 70 dBC for industry.

Key details: Residential nighttime dBC cap: 60 dBC (11 p.m.-7 a.m.). Industrial dBC cap: 70 dBC at all times. Why dBC: C-weighting captures lower frequency sound. Impulsive sound bonus: +10 dBA daytime allowance.

Failing to meet the dBC limit is enforced the same as a dBA exceedance: $100-$1,000 first offense, $500-$1,000 second offense, up to $2,000 and six months' jail thereafter.

The Bottom Line

Roswell's noise from specific sources rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Roswell is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Roswell can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.