Loud mowers & louder music? Here’s what Macon law says you can do about noisy neighbors
The hum of a leaf blower, the groan of a lawn mower or the sound of a weedwacker.
Why is lawn equipment so loud?
Well, if you’ve fallen victim to a neighbor’s loud landscaping at odd hours, you’re going to want to read this.
Here’s what the law says in Macon, Georgia, about loud noises
In the county of Macon-Bibb, there are “nuisance” laws in place making it illegal to make “unreasonably loud noises.”
What’s an unreasonably loud noise? Well, the law states: “Noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual, or in disturbance of the public peace and welfare is prohibited.”
In addition to garden tools, horns, musical instruments, loud voices, automobiles, steam whistles, exhausts, construction work, loud speakers, fireworks and garbage dumpsters are all examples of potentially noisy disturbances covered by the nuisance law.
If the noise can be heard inside another person’s home, it can be considered a nuisance by law.
Another part of the law in Macon makes it illegal to make any loud noises between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as well as after 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
So, if your neighbor is cutting their grass before 7 a.m. or late at night and it’s disturbing your sleep, they may be in violation of the law.
Here’s what you can do if your Macon neighbor is being too loud
If you think your neighbor or someone else who lives near you is in violation of the noise or nuisance law, here’s what you can do:
You can report it to the Sheriff’s Office in Macon: (478) 751-7500. Deputies will investigate and determine if it goes to municipal or state court docket for a hearing.
The person in violation will be notified if the sheriff deems the complaint a true nuisance.
What do you think about the noise and nuisance laws? Let me know by commenting below or sending me an email at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
