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PEX delays noise-ordinance rewrite while staff, police and code compliance align on enforceability
Summary
Commissioners heard a detailed debate over proposed noise-ordinance changes (daytime numeric dB rules vs. a plainly audible test at night). Staff and police recommended a "plainly audible" enforcement standard for practicality; the committee deferred the ordinance for 30 days to allow staff, the police chief and legal to finalize enforceable language.
The committee debated amendments to Chapter 16 regulating sound, including whether daytime noise should be governed by a numeric 65-decibel limit and whether the nighttime standard should be a "plainly audible" test measured at a fixed distance. County attorney Michael Petty summarized the issue: the existing ordinance includes a nighttime interior-audibility standard that is difficult to enforce because officers often must enter a sealed dwelling to test audibility; the draft adds daytime numeric-level standards and a nighttime enforcement approach measured at 100 feet from the source.
Chief Friedrich (Police) and Director Tanza Clark (Code Compliance) both told the committee that decibel meters are expensive, require calibration and ongoing maintenance, and that the county currently lacks the equipment and organizational structure to deploy a decibel-based enforcement program cost-effectively for all daytime complaints. Chief Friedrich said his officers and Code Compliance need an objective, enforceable test that can be applied without requiring officers to enter private homes late at night; staff suggested the Athens-Clarke County "plainly audible" approach has been workable in jurisdictions with similar challenges.
Commissioners requested data on noise complaints (time-of-day breakdown and complaint volumes), clarification of enforcement roles between Code Compliance and Police, and the potential for civil remedies in nuisance law as a complement to ordinance enforcement. After discussion, the committee voted to defer the ordinance for 30 days so staff, police and legal can craft language that is enforceable, aligns with county operational capacity, and anticipates magistrate-level outcomes if citations are issued.
Attribution: Comments are attributed to County Attorney Michael Petty, Chief Friedrich, Director Tanza Clark, and commissioners based on the transcript.
Ending: Staff will meet with police, code compliance and legal counsel to produce revised ordinance language and a staff memo on enforcement logistics (including complaint volumes and any necessary equipment/training) for committee review within 30 days.
