Dunwoody Noise Ordinance – When is it NOT okay to rev up a blower or electric saw?!!

by Audra H. Anders for The Aha! Connection

When is it not OKAY to rev up that blower or electric saw? 

We’ve been spending a lot of time outside.  I love gardening and listening to the birds sing in my trees, hearing the fish jump in the lake and listening to the frogs begin their nightly chorus at sundown.

However, my across the street neighbor lost a HUGE tree a few weeks ago and my fave tree company (Griffin) was making noise ALL DAY.   The very next weekend my next door neighbor was building a raised garden and sawing wood on a table saw in his driveway ALL DAY using a REALLY LOUD electric saw.  Neighbors that live four houses away were complaining.

It is what it is.  I didn’t complain but rather plugged in my ear plugs and listened to a book on Audible instead.   However, I did wonder if there were rules about noises such as these?   Last week, an AHA subscriber asked if I knew if Dunwoody had a noise ordinance.   I reached out to Lynn Deutsch and John Heneghan and here’s what I learned:

Basically, when it comes to landscaping, residents can do as they please but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be courteous. However, landscape contractors using any type of motorized mower or mechanical blower and other equipment which creates loud and excessive noise shall be prohibited, during the following times:

1. Before 7:30 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. on weekdays;

2. Before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and

3. At any time on Sundays and/or the following legal holidays:

• New Year’s Day (observed);
• Memorial Day (observed);
• Independence Day (observed);
• Labor Day (observed);
• Thanksgiving Day; and
• Christmas Day (observed).

It appears that construction is slightly different than landscaping and applies to both contractors and residents:

Construction of any type, including, but not limited to, the erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration, or repair of any building, as well as the operation of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, stream or electric hoist, automatic nailer or stapler, or any similar equipment attended by loud or unusual noise, shall be prohibited during the following times:

1. Before 7:30 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. on weekdays;

2. Before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and

3. At any time on Sundays and/or the following legal holidays:

• New Year’s Day (observed);
• Memorial Day (observed);
• Independence Day (observed);
• Labor Day (observed);
• Thanksgiving Day; and
• Christmas Day (observed).

Click here for the full details about the Dunwoody Noise Ordinance – you might be surprised at the detail they provide on what is considered a noise…