Walton County, GA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Table 100-1, printed in Section 11-7-100(B), sets the maximum permitted equivalent sound level, Leq, in dB(A) for authorized conditional and permitted commercial uses located in the county's A1, A2, B1, B2 and M1 zoning districts. , when the adjoining lot is residential. Against a B1 or B2 neighbor the ceiling rises to 55 dB(A), and against an M1 or M2 neighbor it rises to 55-60 dB(A) depending on the use's own district. Measurements are taken at the property line with an A-weighted sound level meter meeting American National Standards Institute specifications, averaging one hundred instantaneous readings taken at ten-second intervals to compute the Leq.

Brief impact noises lasting under one minute per hour may run up to 10 dB(A) over the table's limits. Emergency signaling devices, refuse collection vehicles and other public service operations are exempt. When the Planning and Development Director determines a business appears to exceed these limits, the property owner must obtain decibel readings from a certified professional using the county's prescribed measurement and computation worksheets.