Cobb County, GA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 70 dBA, 7 a.m.–10:59 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 65 dBA, 11 p.m.–6:59 a.m.
- Measured at
- complainant's location
- Applies
- unincorporated Cobb County only
Summary
Cobb County's unincorporated areas cap loud noise at 70 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10:59 p.m. and 65 dBA overnight, measured at the complaining property's location.
(b)Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud noise which either disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others in the unincorporated areas of the county which:(1)From 7:00 a.m. until 10:59 p.m., exceeds 70 dBA measured from the complainant location;(2)From 11:00 p.m. until 6:59 a.m., exceeds 65 dBA measured from the complainant location.(c)"dBA" means the sound level measured in decibels using the "A" weighting network on a sound meter. dBA levels closely match the perception of loudness by the human ear. (Ord. of 10-12-82, § 2(a); Code 1977, § 3-18.5-2; Ord. of 7-27-04; Amd. of 2-23-10; Amd. of 10-24-23)
Editor's note— An amendment of October 24, 2023, amended the Code by renumbering former §§ 50-256—50-258 as new §§ 50-257—50-259.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 50-257(b) makes it unlawful to create noise that disturbs, injures or endangers others' comfort, repose, health, peace or safety when it exceeds 70 dBA between 7:00 a.m. and 10:59 p.m., or 65 dBA between 11:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., measured from the complainant's location. The rule applies only in the unincorporated county; Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs and Austell enforce their own separate noise codes. Sound is measured with an A-weighted meter under the procedures in § 50-260.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 50-257 is punishable under § 1-10's general penalty provision, which allows fines and/or jail time for county ordinance violations in the unincorporated area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decibel level is illegal at night in Cobb County?
Does this limit apply inside Marietta or Smyrna?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia noise ordinances overview
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