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Coweta County adopts noise ordinance and removes unclear 'central loudspeaker' prohibition in C‑9 zoning
Summary
The county adopted a new noise ordinance (fines up to $1,000 per day) and approved a text amendment to remove an undefined ban on “central loudspeakers” in the C‑9 commercial amusement district, allowing noise to be addressed through zoning conditions or the new ordinance.
Coweta County commissioners on Nov. 4 adopted a county noise ordinance and approved a text amendment to Article 17I (C‑9 commercial amusement district) removing an undefined prohibition on "central loudspeakers." Staff said the prohibition dated to 1990 and was unclear in meaning, so staff recommended removing the blanket ban and addressing noise issues through individual rezoning conditions or the new noise ordinance.
During the public hearing on the text amendment, planning staff told the board that only one property in the county is currently zoned C‑9 (Putt Putt Golf at Bailey Station). Staff said the amendment would eliminate confusion about an undefined term and allow the board, when considering any future C‑9 rezoning, to include zoning conditions tailored to each case. Planning staff noted some requests have surfaced from applicants seeking a variance from the language.
On the noise ordinance, county staff explained the draft would add Chapter 42 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) with enforcement options including magistrate court and fines up to $1,000 per day. Commissioners asked whether motor‑vehicle noise would be subject to enforcement; staff said motor vehicles are addressed under state law and the draft ordinance includes certain exemptions. A commissioner clarified that firearms remain covered by state law and separate county ordinance provisions.
The board approved both measures. Chair called the vote to adopt the noise ordinance and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioners noted that passing the ordinance does not mean the county will immediately become quiet but that the rules can be revisited and amended if needed.
What it means: Removing the ambiguous "central loudspeaker" language clears a zoning conflict where amphitheaters and concert venues are listed as permitted uses in C‑9 but the undefined prohibition could have precluded those uses. The noise ordinance creates a county enforcement mechanism but retains officer/judicial discretion on fines and enforcement actions.
