There is nothing worse than trying to sleep at night and being kept up by loud music or a party. But there are laws against loud noise and penalties for violating them.

Barking dogs and bumping car stereos, just two things that can keep you up in the middle of the night.

That is why local governments enforce noise ordinances. They try to keep disturbing sounds to a minimum.

"Lets say you've got to go to work in the morning and you have to be up early at 7. Someones playing their loud music, that can be heard all over your neighborhood at two in the morning. That's when we get the calls," said Lt. Andy Shedd, Columbia County Sheriff's Department.

In Columbia County you can get fined for three things.

Having your music too loud in your car, excessive noise coming from a business and having a dog that barks constantly, especially at night.

Loud car stereos may not seem like a problem to some people, but, law enforcement says during an emergency, they can cause huge problems.

"We use the blue lights and the sirens and a lot of times, people can't hear us coming up behind them and they impede our trying to get to an emergency call," Shedd said.

Car audio shops earn their money making car stereos loud. But they know from experience it can cost you.

"I've gotten a noise ordinance ticket before. I try to keep it down and be respectful," said Jeffrey Taylor, Pro Car Audio.

He warns their younger customers of the laws as well.

In Columbia County violating the noise ordinance can get you up to one thousand dollars in fines or six months in jail.

Richmond County has a similar noise ordinance.

You can be fined for music or noise that can be heard 100 feet from your car, home or business. It's only 50 feet in a school zone.