Athens City Council Tweaks Local Ordinances Governing Noise, Special Events
Athens, June 27, 2026 – The Athens City Council has approved significant changes to two local ordinances this week, specifically those governing noise and special events. City Attorney Shane Black described these amendments as a delicate balancing act between protecting First Amendment rights and ensuring a high quality of life for residents.
Both the special events ordinance and the noise ordinance have been in effect for many years and were in need of clarification and updated language, according to Black.
Clarifying First Amendment Rights and Public Order
“You’ve got to be careful with special events ordinances just like noise ordinances because what you don’t want to do is violate first amendment rights and so you want to put a reasonable framework into place that both protects an individual’s right and freedom to speak, freedom to assemble – but also imposes reasonable time, place and manner regulations on the exercise of those rights,” Black stated. He also clarified that the noise ordinance does not apply to governmental operations such as tornado sirens, police cars, or ambulances.
Black further noted the challenges inherent in enforcing noise ordinances, referencing widespread Alabama and federal case law. “This adopts the general rule which outlaws loud and raucous and unreasonable noise. Those are terms that have been used by the federal courts in upholding noise ordinances and it sets out a list of examples of different types of loud and raucous noise – everything from tires squealing to radios being up too loud.”
The City Attorney emphasized that noise regulation is a continuously evolving area of law enforcement, suggesting that further adjustments might be necessary in the future to align with current state and federal law.
Updating Special Event Permit Requirements
Regarding the special events ordinance, Black highlighted the need to update permitting requirements. “This clarifies rules for when a special event permit may be denied,” he explained. “There’s a list of examples as to when things could be denied. One of the changes here is for when an event poses an unreasonable burden on adjacent businesses or property owners through repetitive use of the same site when other alternative sites are available.”
Other Council Business
In other council business, a public hearing was held, and a subsequent ordinance was approved concerning a proposal to rezone 14.2 acres. This land will be utilized for the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes. The property is situated behind Hobbs Street Church of Christ, east of Theresa Private Drive, and north of West Hobbs Street. The reclassification changes the property from R-1-2 (Medium Density Single Family Residential District) to R-1-4 (Single Family Duplex Attached Residential District).
Additionally, the council approved several other resolutions and ordinances:
- A resolution approving the purchase of one (1) crew-cab flatbed truck from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Equipment Bureau at a cost not to exceed $35,000, to be funded from the Park & Recreation’s existing capital expenditure fund.
- Resolutions approving reimbursement to Councilman Chris Seibert in the amount of $1,384.55 and to Councilman James Lucas in the amount of $1,084.52 for their attendance at the Alabama National Gas Association (ANGA) Conference.
- A resolution concerning an economic development project specifically targeting small businesses in downtown Athens.
- A resolution recognizing the internal transfer of certain real property located on South Jefferson Street from Athens Utilities to the City of Athens General Fund.
- An ordinance regarding the sale of real property located on South Jefferson Street to the Limestone County Commission for the construction of an animal shelter.
- A resolution authorizing a revocable license to erect a shopping center sign on the median of Braly Boulevard.
- A resolution to approve the FY 2027 Electric Department budget.
- A resolution approving revisions to engineering services through Morell Engineering for Sunrise Park, Phase 2.
- A resolution authorizing the Mayor’s Office to apply for an AMRV RC&D grant to fund the replacement of a worn-out ballfield maintenance machine, with any remaining cost to be paid from the existing Parks & Recreation Capital Fund.
These decisions reflect the council’s ongoing efforts to manage urban development, support community initiatives, and maintain public order within Athens.
Source: https://enewscourier.com/2026/06/27/athens-city-council-tweaks-local-ordinances-governing-noise-special-events/
