Gwinnett County, GA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Audibility threshold
- 100 feet from vehicle
- Requirement
- working muffler/sound device
- Where
- roads in county jurisdiction
- Coverage
- unincorporated Gwinnett only
Summary
Motor vehicles driven on unincorporated Gwinnett County roads must run a working muffler so exhaust noise is not plainly audible 100 feet or more away.
Motor vehicles in the vehicular travel portion of a right-of-way within the County's jurisdiction. Operating a motor vehicle not equipped with a muffler, or other sound dissipative device required by any applicable law, in good working condition so as to effectively prevent loud or explosive noise, so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more from the motor vehicle.(2)Buildings.a.Buildings in nonresidential zoning districts.1.Making, causing, allowing, or permitting any sound from a source within such person's ownership or control that projects, emits or transmits from any building in a nonresidential zoning district so that the sound is plainly audible to any person at the times and distances set forth in the table below:
Day of the Week Time Distance Sunday—Thursday 7:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m. 500 feet or more Sunday—Thursday 11:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. 200 feet or more Friday—Saturday 7:00 a.m.—11:59 p.m. 500 feet or more Friday—Saturday 11:59 p.m.—7:00 a.m. 200 feet or more
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
The noise ordinance declares it a violation to operate a motor vehicle in the traveled portion of a right-of-way without a muffler or other sound-dissipative device in good working condition, if the result is sound plainly audible at 100 feet or more from the vehicle. This targets loud or explosive exhaust noise rather than car stereos specifically, and applies only on roads within the county's jurisdiction outside the 16 incorporated cities. Enforced by County Police under the same specific-restrictions section covering building and construction noise.
Violations & Fines
A first violation draws a written warning; a second within 12 months is $250, a third $500, and later violations up to $1,000 each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover loud car stereos?
What's the distance test for a muffler violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
Compare Gwinnett County to another location·View the Georgia noise ordinances overview
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