Fulton County, GA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger radius
- 5 miles of Hartsfield-Jackson airport
- Acceptable tier
- Not exceeding 65 dBA DNL, no restriction
- Unacceptable tier
- Above 75 dBA bars residential use
- Interior occupancy cap
- 50 dBA or higher bars occupancy
- Existing lot exemption
- No exemption if use/zoning unchanged
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 fine or 60 days jail, per day
Summary
In unincorporated Fulton County, new residential and special-use development within five miles of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport must meet the county's Site Acceptability Noise Standards under Zoning Resolution § 4.15. Sites above 75 dBA day-night average are barred from residential use outright, and no dwelling may be occupied above a 50 dBA interior sound level.
4.15. - Noise. The Fulton County Site Acceptability Noise Standards shall apply to all new proposed residential and special uses described herein. (Added 04/05/06) ... Acceptable | Not exceeding 65 dBA | 1. Noise Study Report per Article 28.4.6. No Restrictions. Normally Unacceptable | Above 65 dBA but not exceeding 75 dBA | 1. Noise Study Report per Article 28.4.6. 2. Sound Attenuation Plan. Unacceptable | Above 75 dBA | 1. Noise Study Report per Article 28.4.6. 2. Residentially zoned/used developments are prohibited.
1. New residential development proposed within 5 miles of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport boundary shall be in compliance with the Fulton County Site Acceptability Noise Standards. 2. No residential dwelling shall be occupied if the interior day-night average sound level is 50 dBA or higher. 3. Any existing legal residential lot of record that does not change use or zoning classification is exempt from the requirements of this Section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 57).
Full Breakdown
15 sets a three-tier noise classification for new residential and special-use development proposed within five miles of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport boundary. 6. Land rated "Normally Unacceptable" (above 65 dBA but not exceeding 75 dBA) needs the same Noise Study Report plus an approved Sound Attenuation Plan before development can proceed. Land rated "Unacceptable" (above 75 dBA) cannot be developed for residential use at all: the resolution states flatly that "residentially zoned/used developments are prohibited" at that noise level. 103(c). 15's requirements, so already-built homes are not retroactively forced to attenuate.
Because this is a Zoning Resolution section, not a county-wide noise ordinance, it governs only unincorporated Fulton County. Residents near the airport in Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Hapeville or South Fulton, all separately incorporated cities with their own codes, are not covered by this section and should check their city's noise or airport-overlay rules instead.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Resolution violations, including building or occupying in defiance of § 4.15's noise classifications, are misdemeanors under Article XXIX. Section 29.1 makes each day of a continuing violation a separate offense and reaches the owner, tenant, architect, builder or agent who assisted. Under § 29.2, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County or the State Court of Fulton County can impose a fine of $1,000.00, up to 60 days in the Fulton County Jail, or both, per offense; the Department of Environment and Community Development may also correct a violation at public expense and record the cost as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to my house in Atlanta near the airport?
What happens if my unincorporated Fulton lot is rated "Unacceptable" for airport noise?
Is my existing home grandfathered from the noise standard?
What triggers the interior 50 dBA occupancy limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fulton County
Compare Fulton County to another location·View the Georgia noise ordinances overview
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