Got a Noise Ordinance Violation in Marietta?

The Marietta Noise Ordinance (Section 10-6-030)

Marietta has a comprehensive noise ordinance enforced by the Marietta Police Department and Code Enforcement. Unlike cities that rely on subjective "nuisance" rules, Marietta uses strict, objective decibel (dBA/dBC) limits measured at the property line.

Here are the exact residential limits you are held to:

• Daytime (7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.): 65 dBA / 84 dBC
• Nighttime (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.): 60 dBA / 79 dBC

Specific Activity Rules

• Landscaping & Power Tools: Prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in residential areas. Equipment must have a functioning muffler.
• Animal Vocalizations: A dog barking or howling for 10 continuous minutes without interruption, or 30 intermittent minutes, constitutes a violation.
• Vehicle Audio (Boom Cars): Cannot be "plainly audible" at 50 feet during the day, or 25 feet between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

How the Enforcement Process Works

Enforcement is handled by certified Noise Control Officers. When a complaint is made, an officer must use an ANSI-certified Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter to measure the noise at or within the property line of the person complaining.

If you are cited, the summons is returnable to the Municipal Court of Marietta. The penalty structure is strict:

• 1st and 2nd offenses: Warning
• 3rd offense: Minimum $250 fine
• 4th offense: Minimum $500 fine
• 5th+ offense: Maximum $1,000 fine and possible abatement orders

Common Procedural Errors in Marietta Citations

Because Marietta's ordinance requires technical measurements, citations are frequently vulnerable to procedural challenges:

• No decibel reading recorded: If an officer issues a citation for a decibel-based violation without actually using a certified sound level meter, the citation may be invalid.
• Improper measurement location: The code requires measurements to be taken at the receiver's property line. Measurements taken from the street or inside a patrol car can be challenged.
• Wrong meter settings: The ordinance specifies using "slow response" settings for continuous noise and "fast response" for impulsive sounds. Incorrect settings yield invalid readings.