10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Chatham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
In the City of Savannah, residential sound may not exceed 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 50 dBA from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured at the property line. Any noise disturbance across a residential boundary is prohibited.
City of Savannah Code §9-2034(a); Table I
table I sets forth the maximum permissible sound levels allowed at or within the real property boundary of a receiving land use. Any activity or use that produces a sound in excess of such noise levels for a receiving land use shall be deemed a "noise disturbance" and is in violation of this article.
Savannah bars construction, drilling, demolition and utility maintenance from creating a noise disturbance between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. At other hours, construction noise exceeding 85 dBA at a property line is a violation.
City of Savannah Code §9-2038(a)
No person shall operate or permit the operation of any tools or equipment in construction, drilling, demolition work, or in preventive maintenance work for public service utilities: (1) Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in any manner which creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive area.
Savannah defines a barking dog as one that barks, bays, cries or howls continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for a half hour or more, disturbing any person at any time of day or night. Harboring such an animal is prohibited.
City of Savannah Code §9-2039
"barking dog" shall mean a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or barks intermittently for one-half hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night regardless of whether the dog is physically situated in or upon private property.
Savannah exempts motor-powered, muffler-equipped lawn, garden, and tree-trimming equipment and electrical power tools from the residential sound-level limits when used between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Outside those hours the noise limits apply.
City of Savannah Code §9-2034(b)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the operation of the following domestic power tools or equipment between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.: (1) Electrical power tools. (2) Motor-powered, muffler-equipped lawn, garden, and tree trimming equipment.
Savannah bars operating a radio, TV, phonograph, amplifier, or loudspeaker so as to create a noise disturbance across a property line. Bars, taverns, and nightclubs whose sound is plainly audible beyond the premises are automatically in violation.
City of Savannah Code §9-2036(a)
no person shall so operate, play or permit the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, amplifier, loudspeaker, or similar device so as to: (1) Create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive area. However, bars, taverns, lounges, nightclubs, dancehalls, game rooms and similar activities which produce a noise that is plainly audible beyon...
Air transportation is exempt from Savannah's noise ordinance, which does not apply to rail and air transportation. Aircraft noise is governed federally by the FAA and by airport noise-abatement procedures, not by county decibel limits.
City of Savannah Code §9-2033(4)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to: ... (4) Rail and air transportation and public mass transportation vehicles.
Industrial receiving land is capped at 75 dBA and business at 65 dBA at all times under Savannah's Table I. Loading, unloading, and handling containers or garbage cans is barred from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. across residential boundaries.
City of Savannah Code §9-2035(c)
No person shall so load, unload, open, close or handle boxes, crates, containers, building materials, refuse, garbage cans, motor vehicles, or similar objects between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive area.
Savannah's Table I caps sound at the receiving property line: residential 60 dBA (7 a.m.-7 p.m.) and 50 dBA (7 p.m.-7 a.m.), business 65 dBA, industrial 75 dBA, and posted noise-sensitive areas 55 dBA at all times.
City of Savannah Code §9-2034, Table I
TABLE I. SOUND LEVELS BY RECEIVING LAND USE ... Residential 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. 60; 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. 50; Business At all times 65; Industrial At all times 75; Noise-sensitive area At all times 55. For any source of sound which emits a pure tone, the maximum sound level limits set shall be reduced by five dBA.
City-authorized outdoor concerts, festivals, parades, and neighborhood functions may use sound equipment not exceeding 90 dBA measured 50 feet away. Where the receiving land is residential, such equipment may be used only from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
City of Savannah Code §9-2036(b)
the following activities where authorized by the City of Savannah may use sound equipment which produces a sound not to exceed 90 dB(A)'s when measured at a distance of 50 feet from such equipment. Where the receiving land is residential, such equipment may be used only from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Unincorporated Chatham County caps roadway vehicle noise at 55 dB. Savannah limits standard vehicles to 76 dBA at 35 mph or less (80 dBA above), and heavy trucks to 91/95 dBA, measured 25 feet from the lane.
Chatham County Code §11-109
No person shall make, continue or cause to be made or continued, except as permitted, any noise disturbance, or any noise from a vehicle on any public roadway in excess of the limits for such noise maximum permissible sound levels of 55 dBs.
1 cities in Chatham County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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