Georgetown, KY Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Construction and machinery noise is governed by Georgetown Code § 28-34(b)(3), 'Machinery and construction noise,' in Chapter 28, Article II (Noise).

The daytime rule is permissive. Machinery and construction noise that is plainly audible at any distance, but reasonable to the nature of the work performed, is not prohibited under the article from the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Two conditions apply: the noise must be reasonable for the work being done, and the permission runs only within those hours.

The overnight rule is the prohibition. Such noise that is plainly audible from the source of the noise at a distance of 50 feet is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The test is audibility measured from the source, with no decibel figure, and § 28-34(a) defines plainly audible by reference to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities using unaided hearing.

The paragraph carries one exception: works necessitated by an emergency are excepted from the prohibition. The code assigns the decision on whether an emergency exists to specific officials. The determination is made by the mayor, chief of police or ranking police officer on duty at the time of the emergency.

The paragraph does not set separate weekend hours. Section 28-35 contains separate exemptions, including governmental vehicles and equipment in use for municipal purposes, emergency construction or repair work by government, special events permitted by the appropriate agency, and activities for which the office of the mayor has issued an exemption for a substantial need and only for the period the need can be demonstrated.

Under § 28-36, a violation is a criminal violation enforced by uniform citation by a police officer or citation officer. Fines are $50.00 for a first offense, $100.00 for a second offense within 12 months, and $200.00 for a third and subsequent offenses within 12 months.