Noise to become a punishable offence in Georgia

A law regulating permissible noise levels has come into effect today, on 15 August.

In case of excessive noise, a citizen is entitled to call the police who will measure the noise level with a special device. Fines will be imposed on both natural and legal persons, who will exceed the permissible noise level.

The amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia were introduced in June this year and have entered into force on 15 August.

The residents of Tbilisi’s tourist areas, complaining about day-and-night noise from cafés and restaurants, have been demanding the introduction of the aforesaid law for years.

Under the new legislation, daytime is a period from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., while the night hours are from 11 p.m. until 8 a.m.

Daytime noise levels in residential areas may not exceed 35dB (decibels), and in the night hours – 30 dB.

Special regulations have been set for cafés and restaurants operating in the vicinity of residential houses. Daytime noise level for such cafés and restaurants shouldn’t exceed 50dB, and in the night hours – 40dB.

The aforesaid regulations will also apply to medical institutions, sports facilities, shopping centers and educational institutions.

If a person violates the law for the first time, he/she will be issued a warning. In the event of a repeated violation of the law throughout the year, a natural person may be imposed a fine amounting to GEL 150, and a legal entity – GEL 500. The aforesaid legal amendments also ban the use of flares and pyrotechnics in the nightly hours. A natural person using pyrotechnics in the night hours will be imposed a fine amounting to GEL 150, and a legal entity – GEL 500. In the event of a repeated violation, a natural person will have to pay a GEL 300 fine, and a legal entity – GEL 1 000.

Noise regulations don’t apply to New Years days (from 9 p.m., 31 December until 11 p.m. 2 January, and from 9p.m., 13 January until 11 p.m., 14 January), as well as to the days on which the restoration of Georgia’s independence is marked (9April and 26 May).

At first, the Patrol Police will be in charge of executing the law. Thereafter, from 1 April 2018, the aforesaid function will be delegated to the local self-government bodies.