Augusta-Richmond County, GA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing clause
- Sec. 3-6-2(c)(5)
- Time restriction
- None, applies any hour
- Distance test
- None, unlike subsections (a)/(b)
- Related exhaust rule
- Muffler required, Sec. 3-6-2(c)(3)
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 60 days jail, Sec. 3-6-4
Summary
Augusta-Richmond County bans loud delivery noise around the clock, not just at night. Code Sec. 3-6-2(c)(5) makes it unlawful to create 'a loud and excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers,' a flat prohibition that sits outside the chapter's time-of-day and distance framework used for music and shouting.
(c)Other restrictions.(1)Animals, birds. The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.(2)Steam whistles. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger or upon request of proper county authorities.(3)Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine or motorboat except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.(4)Defect in vehicle or load. The use of any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise within a residential area.(5)Loading, unloading, opening boxes. The creation of a loud and excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Section 3-6-2(c) groups ten 'other restrictions' that apply without the 300-foot daytime or 100-foot nighttime distance tests used elsewhere in the chapter, and loading and unloading noise is item (5): loud and excessive noise from loading, unloading, or opening and destroying boxes, crates and containers. Because it isn't distance-gated like subsections (a) and (b), a delivery truck or dock crew creating excessive banging, dropping or crate-breaking noise can be cited regardless of how far the sound carries or what time it happens. The same subsection also reaches related commercial-vehicle noise: item (4) bans loud grating, grinding or rattling from an out-of-repair or badly loaded vehicle in a residential area, and item (10) separately covers sound trucks and mechanical loudspeakers mounted on moving or standing vehicles for advertising.
Item (3) requires any motor exhaust, including from delivery trucks, to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise. An exemption in Sec. 3-6-2(e)(3) protects noise from delivering 'essential services including, but not limited to, water or sewer projects, and other related public works projects,' but that carve-out is narrow and does not cover routine commercial freight delivery. Section 3-6-4 sets the penalty: a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail, applicable to whichever person or company caused the noise.
Violations & Fines
Loading or unloading noise cited under Sec. 3-6-2(c)(5) is a misdemeanor under the chapter's general penalty, Sec. 3-6-4: a fine up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in the county jail. Because the ban isn't tied to a distance or time window, deputies can cite a delivery crew for excessive banging or crate-breaking noise at any hour if it disturbs a neighboring resident or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Augusta-Richmond County regulate noise from delivery trucks?
Is there a distance limit for delivery noise like there is for music?
What's the penalty for excessive delivery or loading noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Augusta-Richmond County
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