Brookhaven, GA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime limit
- 80 dB at 0 to 50 feet, 55 dB over 300 feet
- Residential nighttime, Sunday to Thursday
- 70 dB at 0 to 50 feet, 50 dB over 300 feet
- Residential nighttime, Friday and Saturday
- 75 dB at 0 to 50 feet, 50 dB over 300 feet
- Multi-family dwelling
- 75 dBA daytime, 55 dBA nighttime
- Measurement
- At or within the receiving property line, slow response
- First conviction fine
- Not less than $200.00, total not over $1,000.00
Summary
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, Sec. 16-152 Table 1 caps sound at the receiving property by zone, day, time and distance from the source. Residential daytime limits run from 80 dB at 0 to 50 feet down to 55 dB over 300 feet, and nighttime limits fall as low as 50 dB.
(a)No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any sound source in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the sound level limits set forth in table 1 when measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property using the slow response setting unless otherwise noted. Such a sound source would constitute a noise disturbance. ... Receiving property zoning category Day of week Time of day Distance from sound source Sound limitation Residential or noise sensitive facility Everyday Daytime 0—50 feet 51—150 feet 151—300 feet Over 300 feet 80 dB 75 dB 65 dB 55 dB Residential or noise sensitive facility Sunday through Thursday Nighttime 0—50 feet 51—150 feet 151—300 feet Over 300 feet 70 dB 65 dB 55 dB 50 dB Residential or noise sensitive facility Friday and Saturday Nighttime 0—50 feet 51—150 feet 151—300 feet Over 300 feet 75 dB 65 dB 55 dB 50 dB
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-152(a) forbids operating any sound source so as to exceed the Table 1 limits when measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property, using the slow response setting unless otherwise noted. A source over the limit is a noise disturbance.
For residential property or a noise sensitive facility, the daytime limit every day is 80 dB at 0 to 50 feet, 75 dB at 51 to 150 feet, 65 dB at 151 to 300 feet and 55 dB over 300 feet. Nighttime, Sunday through Thursday, the numbers are 70, 65, 55 and 50 dB. Friday and Saturday nights are 75, 65, 55 and 50 dB. Noise sensitive facility includes schools, hospitals and places of worship under Sec. 16-151.
The table also has commercial and industrial rows. Commercial property is limited to 80, 75, 65 and 55 dB in the Sunday to Friday daytime row, and 70, 65, 55 and 50 dB Sunday to Thursday nighttime. On Friday and Saturday, commercial daytime is 85, 80, 70 and 65 dB and nighttime is 75, 70, 65 and 55 dB. Industrial property is 85, 80, 70 and 65 dB anytime, every day.
Sec. 16-151 fixes the clock. Daytime hours run 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday.
Special cases: in a multi-family dwelling, Sec. 16-152(c) sets 75 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime, measured from the closest neighbor's dwelling. Sec. 16-152(e) states the council's intent that times be read for maximum protection from undesirable noise. Measurements are taken by police officers trained in the use of a sound level meter (Sec. 16-155(b)), and the chief of police can grant special variances under Sec. 16-156.
Violations & Fines
Under Sec. 16-157, a first conviction carries a fine of not less than $200.00 and a total not exceeding $1,000.00. A second conviction within 12 months carries not less than $500.00, total not exceeding $1,000.00. A third conviction within 24 months carries a fine of $1,000.00, and a restaurant or late night establishment alcohol license is automatically suspended. The municipal court judge can also order immediate abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daytime noise limit at a home in the City of Brookhaven, Georgia?
Are Friday and Saturday nights treated differently?
What are the rules in an apartment building?
Who measures the noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
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