House Bill 564 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Jefferson County; noise ordinance for unincorporated areas authorized

Summary

HB564 would authorize Jefferson County to ban noise disturbances in unincorporated residential areas and impose civil fines for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Jefferson County Commission adopt an ordinance prohibiting noise disturbances in unincorporated residential areas (R- zoning) and defines what counts as a disturbance. It sets measurable thresholds for noise (including distances and dBA levels) and outlines when sounds cross property boundaries. Violations can be treated as a public nuisance with civil fines: up to $200 for the first violation, up to $600 for the second, and up to $1,800 for the third. Fines become debt to the county and can be collected after due-process hearings, with appeals to the Circuit Court for a de novo review, and the county can pursue civil actions to collect fines or to abate ongoing violations. The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Residents and property owners in Jefferson County's unincorporated, R- zoning residential areas who could be cited for noise disturbances and face civil fines.
• County law enforcement, the Jefferson County Commission, and the Circuit Court, which would enforce the ordinance, issue citations, collect fines, handle hearings and appeals, and oversee abatement.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 defines terms: boundary line, dBA, noise disturbance, and Residential Area (R- zoning).
• Section 2 authorizes the County Commission to adopt an ordinance prohibiting noise disturbances in the specified residential areas and to classify violations as civil nuisances with fines.
• Civil fines are set at not more than $200 for the first violation, not more than $600 for the second, and not more than $1,800 for the third violation.
• Viol fines become debts owed to the county after due-process steps, with hearings, potential circuit-court appeals, and avenues for the county to collect or enforce abatement.
• Exemptions are listed for certain sounds and activities (emergency services, school activities, construction, secured systems if silenced, lawn tools, generators during outages, lawful gatherings, etc.).
• Section 3 states the act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 3, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County