Sheriff Asks Commissioners for a Noise Ordinance

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard believes residents that live in the community deserve to have some type of action against unwelcome noise and he asked commissioners to consider passing a noise ordinance during Tuesday’s work session.

“I’ve been trying since 2011 to get some type of noise ordinance under way in this community,” he said.” I do not want to target any specific group such as the wedding venues but if you live close to one, 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., they ought to have to quiet down.”

Commissioner Bob Mayfield said, “Here’s the hard part. I’ve talked to a lot of folks about this at length and everybody wants everybody else to be quiet but they don’t want nobody telling them to be quiet.”

Chairman Chris Dockery said a noise ordinance is equally as important as a sign ordinance and he asked for a commissioner to volunteer to take the lead in studying the issue and each commissioner to make a list of their concerns about such an ordinance.

Jarrard submitted several noise ordinances from other counties and recommended they be used to tailor an ordinance more suitable for Lumpkin County.

“I just highly encourage that we have some type of ordinance in place for people who have problems,” he said. He suggested the ordinance “target the ones that are constant with noise that disturbs their neighbors like people who have loud parties after midnight or that barking dog that barks all night.”

Commissioner Bob Pullen agreed to take the lead on drafting an ordinance and agreed to have information back to the board of commissioners by the October meeting.