Macon-Bibb County, GA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 15-26(b)(1), (4), (6)
- Horn rule
- Only as danger signal, not excessive/prolonged
- Exhaust rule
- Must discharge through a working muffler
- Mechanical noise
- Out-of-repair vehicles causing grating/rattling banned
- Enforcement
- General penalty, Code Sec. 1-6, Municipal Court
Summary
Macon-Bibb County outlaws excessive horn use, worn-out "noisy vehicles," and unmuffled exhaust under County Code Sec. 15-26(b)(1), (4), and (6). A horn sounded for no danger reason, a vehicle "so out of repair" it grates or rattles, and exhaust discharged without a working muffler each violate the noise ordinance.
(1)Horns. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle, while not in motion except as a danger signal if another vehicle is approaching apparently out of control, or, if in motion, only as a danger signal; the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound or the sounding of such device for an unnecessary or unreasonable period of time. (4)Noisy vehicles. The use of any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding or rattling, or other noise. (6)Exhausts. To discharge into the open air the exhaust of any stationary steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor vehicle or motorboat engine, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Comprehensive Land Development Resolution: Supplement 4 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Section 15-26(b) of the Nuisances chapter lists specific "loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises" that violate the general noise prohibition in subsection (a). Item (1), "Horns," bars sounding "any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle, while not in motion except as a danger signal," and separately bars "the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound or the sounding of such device for an unnecessary or unreasonable period of time" even while driving.
" Together the three provisions reach blaring horns, rattling clunkers, and straight-piped exhausts within Macon-Bibb County. weekends, applies equally to vehicle noise passing a residential area.
Violations & Fines
A citation for any of the three vehicle-noise provisions is prosecuted in Macon-Bibb Municipal Court under the general penalty in Code Section 1-6; deputies or police can stop or cite a vehicle for a defective muffler or excessive horn use on the spot, and repeated modified-exhaust complaints against the same vehicle support repeat citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to run a loud exhaust in Macon-Bibb County?
Can I get cited for honking my horn unnecessarily?
What counts as a "noisy vehicle" under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Macon-Bibb County
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