Franklin County, OH Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise cap
- 55 decibels
- Measured at
- Nearest neighboring property line
- Exception
- Severe storms, utility outages
- Applies to
- Wind energy systems only
Summary
Franklin County caps wind energy system noise at fifty-five decibels, measured at the nearest neighboring property line, except during severe storms or utility outages.
Operation of wind energy systems shall not exceed 55 decibels, except during short-term events such as severe wind storms and utility outages. This information shall be obtained from the manufacturer of the wind energy system, and all readings, if necessary, shall be taken from the nearest neighboring property line.
d) Shadow Flicker: Wind energy systems shall be sited in a manner that does not result in shadow flicker impacts. The applicant has the burden of proving that their wind energy system does not have an impact on neighboring or adjacent uses either through siting or mitigation.
e) Signs: All signs, both temporary and permanent, are prohibited on wind energy systems, except as follows: Manufacturer’s or installer’s identification on the wind energy system. Appropriate warning signs and placards.
f) Code Compliance: Wind energy systems shall comply with all applicable sections of the Ohio Building Code.
g) Aviation: Wind energy systems shall be built to comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Evidence of compliance or non-applicability shall be submitted with the Conditional Use application.
h) Visual Impacts: It is inherent that wind energy systems may pose some visual impacts due to the total height needed to access the wind resources. The purpose of this section is to reduce the visual impacts, without restricting the owner’s access to wind resources.
Full Breakdown
Franklin County Zoning Resolution § 561.04(c) sets the county's numeric decibel standard tied to a specific use: wind energy systems in unincorporated Franklin County cannot exceed 55 decibels in operation, except during short-term events such as severe wind storms and utility outages. Compliance data comes from the turbine manufacturer, and any required readings are taken from the nearest neighboring property line. The standard applies as a conditional-use requirement for wind energy systems, not as a general county noise limit for other uses.
Violations & Fines
A wind energy system that exceeds 55 decibels at the nearest neighboring property line, outside of a storm or outage exception, violates § 561.04(c) and can jeopardize its conditional use permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a county-wide decibel limit in Franklin County?
Where is the 55 dB reading taken?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio noise ordinances overview
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