DeKalb County commissioners are weighing a new noise ordinance that would cap daytime residential sound at 65 decibels — roughly the volume of a normal speaking voice — effectively banning gas-powered leaf blowers, mowers and trimmers across the county, including in Dunwoody and Brookhaven.

Commissioner Ted Terry, who represents Super District 6 and authored the proposal, told WSB-TV's Steve Gehlbach the county has been discussing changes to its noise rules for more than two years. The current standard relies on an officer's subjective "plainly audible" observation. "If you give someone a code violation, how do you prove it? Is plainly audible subjective? Can it be challenged?" Terry said.

Moving to hard sound-level readings would require equipping DeKalb police and code enforcement officers with decibel meters and pushing homeowners and landscapers toward quieter electric equipment. A companion resolution, County File No. 2025-0017, would create an Electric Landscape Maintenance Device Rebate Program to help offset that cost for residents and businesses. Both measures first appeared on the Board of Commissioners' agenda on April 14.

Not everyone is on board. Landscaper Rob Schlitz, who uses a small gas-powered backpack blower on some jobs, called the proposal "nonsense," telling WSB-TV that electric equipment "won't last as long," citing durability issues and the hassle of cords, batteries and charging stations.

The noise ordinance was on the agenda for the Board of Commissioners' Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting, but a vote was expected to be pushed back while commissioners wait on a recommendation from committee, which could still amend some restrictions depending on time of day. No Dunwoody or Brookhaven city officials have commented publicly, and the full ordinance text has not yet been released.