Brookhaven, GA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Sec. 16-154(3) of the Brookhaven Code is the city's construction-hours rule, and it sits in Article VII (Noise). Construction and demolition activity shall not be performed between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, or at any time on Sunday. Sec. 16-154 applies notwithstanding the decibel limits and exceptions printed above it, so a quiet crew is not excused from the hours.

The scope is wide. Sec. 16-151 defines construction as any site preparation, assembly, erection, repair, alteration or similar action, or demolition of buildings or structures. Grading, framing, a roof repair and a teardown all fall inside that definition, and each is held to the same clock.

Two exceptions are printed. The first is emergency work, which Sec. 16-151 defines as work performed to prevent or alleviate the physical trauma or property damage threatened or caused by an emergency. The second is activity that meets the sound limits the section cross-references.

The subsection also carries a permit valve. The hours do not apply if the chief of police determines that the loss or inconvenience that would result to any party in interest is of such a nature as to warrant special consideration. In that case the chief of police can grant a renewable permit for a period not to exceed ten days, for the work to be done within the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The permit is a police department decision, not a building permit condition.

Contractors with a broader problem can also ask for a special variance under Sec. 16-156. The application goes to the chief of police, must show that compliance would be an unreasonable hardship, triggers notice to people who frequent the area, and produces a written decision placed on public file with conditions and a time limit. Noncompliance with any condition terminates the variance.