South Fulton bars operating a radio, stereo, or instrument in a vehicle on a public right-of-way so as to create a noise disturbance plainly audible at 50 feet. Vehicle exhaust and muffler noise is governed by Georgia state law, O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-8-71.
South Fulton's noise code regulates sound from vehicles in Sec. 6-3005(5): no person shall operate or play 'any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, or similar device in such a manner as to create a continuing noise disturbance at 50 feet from such device, when operated in or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way or public space.' A 'noise disturbance' is defined in Sec. 6-3002 as sound that endangers safety or health, disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers property. This gives a clear 50-foot plainly-audible benchmark for car stereos and similar devices. Exhaust and muffler noise from vehicles, by contrast, is not the subject of a separate South Fulton decibel rule; in Georgia this is governed by state law. O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-8-71 requires every motor vehicle to have an exhaust system in good working order and makes it unlawful to use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device, or a muffler that causes excessive or unusual noise; a violation is a misdemeanor. Local violations of the 50-foot device rule are enforced by citation under Sec. 6-3008.
Operating a vehicle sound device that is a noise disturbance at 50 feet is enforced by South Fulton citation under Sec. 6-3008 (minimum $200 first conviction, escalating to $1,000). Exhaust and muffler violations under O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-8-71 are state misdemeanors handled through the courts.
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