Bring Macon-Bibb's Noise Ordinance to a Modern Era
The Issue
I am petitioning the Macon-Bibb Commission to update its noise ordinance codes. As it currently stands, the noise ordinance does not reflect Macon's cultural and historical identity of a music city.
The existing codes, found in Chapter 15, Article II, Sections 15-26, define violating noises as "any noise… readily audible in another home, residence, apartment or building in which the usual openings such as windows and doors are closed." In a city as old as Macon is, with many buildings having thinner walls than one might hope, this is an entirely unsustainable metric for a city that prides itself on its rich musical history. It should be an expectation, not an exception, that living and working in the downtown area means you will be exposed to amplified audio-related noise.
In a city as old as Macon is, with many buildings having thinner walls than one might hope, this is an entirely unsustainable metric for a city that prides itself on its rich musical history. It should not only be accepted, but expected, that living and working in the downtown area means you will be exposed to amplified audio-related noise.
I am asking you now to take action to preserve and revitalize Macon’s identity as a music city by bringing Macon-Bibb’s noise ordinance into a more modern era. Many comparable music cities throughout the state already provide a template in their own noise ordinances that Macon-Bibb could benefit from adopting:
- Restrictions of 300 feet for 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday.
- “It is unlawful for any person or persons to… create, or cause to be created, any noises or sounds which are plainly audible at a distance of 300 feet or more from the place, building, structure, or in the case of real property, beyond the property limits, in which the person is located, whichever is farthest”
- Restrictions of 100 feet for 11:00 p.m. through 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 midnight through 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- “It is unlawful for any person or persons to… create, or cause to be created, any noises or sounds which are plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more from the place on public streets and sidewalks, or in the case of private real property, beyond the property limits, on which the person is located, whichever is farthest”
This is the current noise ordinance in place in our capital city Atlanta, in Chapter 74, Article IV. However, we see nearly identical ordinances all over the state—Athens-Clark (Title 3, Chapter 5, Section 24), Augusta-Richmond (Title 3, Chapter 6), and Valdosta (Chapter 42, Article II) all model their own noise ordinances in this format. Why should Macon, “where the south rocks,” still be left in the past?
Macon needs its music scene. And right now, Macon's music scene needs some help.
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The Issue
I am petitioning the Macon-Bibb Commission to update its noise ordinance codes. As it currently stands, the noise ordinance does not reflect Macon's cultural and historical identity of a music city.
The existing codes, found in Chapter 15, Article II, Sections 15-26, define violating noises as "any noise… readily audible in another home, residence, apartment or building in which the usual openings such as windows and doors are closed." In a city as old as Macon is, with many buildings having thinner walls than one might hope, this is an entirely unsustainable metric for a city that prides itself on its rich musical history. It should be an expectation, not an exception, that living and working in the downtown area means you will be exposed to amplified audio-related noise.
In a city as old as Macon is, with many buildings having thinner walls than one might hope, this is an entirely unsustainable metric for a city that prides itself on its rich musical history. It should not only be accepted, but expected, that living and working in the downtown area means you will be exposed to amplified audio-related noise.
I am asking you now to take action to preserve and revitalize Macon’s identity as a music city by bringing Macon-Bibb’s noise ordinance into a more modern era. Many comparable music cities throughout the state already provide a template in their own noise ordinances that Macon-Bibb could benefit from adopting:
- Restrictions of 300 feet for 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday.
- “It is unlawful for any person or persons to… create, or cause to be created, any noises or sounds which are plainly audible at a distance of 300 feet or more from the place, building, structure, or in the case of real property, beyond the property limits, in which the person is located, whichever is farthest”
- Restrictions of 100 feet for 11:00 p.m. through 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 midnight through 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- “It is unlawful for any person or persons to… create, or cause to be created, any noises or sounds which are plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more from the place on public streets and sidewalks, or in the case of private real property, beyond the property limits, on which the person is located, whichever is farthest”
This is the current noise ordinance in place in our capital city Atlanta, in Chapter 74, Article IV. However, we see nearly identical ordinances all over the state—Athens-Clark (Title 3, Chapter 5, Section 24), Augusta-Richmond (Title 3, Chapter 6), and Valdosta (Chapter 42, Article II) all model their own noise ordinances in this format. Why should Macon, “where the south rocks,” still be left in the past?
Macon needs its music scene. And right now, Macon's music scene needs some help.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 13, 2026