Cary's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Cary, North Carolina, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outside bars, advertising and public rights-of-way, the Town of Cary caps other amplified sound equipment at 60 dB(A) affecting homes from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., dropping to 50 dB(A) overnight, absent a town permit.
Key details: Daytime limit: 60 dB(A), 9a-9p. Nighttime limit: 50 dB(A), 9p-9a. Applies to: general amplified sound equipment. Excess-noise permit: Cary Code § 22-110. Governing law: Cary Code § 22-109(4).
Operating amplified sound equipment above the § 22-109(4) thresholds without a § 22-110 permit is unlawful and enforceable under § 22-112: a $100 civil penalty for a first offense, escalating to $1,000 for a fifth offense within a year.
Construction Hours
The Town of Cary exempts construction work and machinery from its noise ordinance only Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturdays and state holidays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; work outside those hours can violate the general noise code.
Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Mon-Fri. Sat/holiday hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.. First offense fine: $100. Repeat offense fine: up to $1,000. Governing law: Cary Code § 22-105(16).
Running equipment outside the permitted hours is treated as unreasonably loud, disturbing noise under § 22-102, enforceable under § 22-112: a $100 civil penalty for a first offense in a year, rising to $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Vehicle Noise
Cary bans loud vehicle noise and car stereos audible 30 feet away, with a limited 60 dB(A) allowance for business or political sound equipment.
Key details: Loud driving noise: Prohibited. Stereo threshold: Audible at 30 feet. Business/political cap: 60 dB(A) at pavement edge. First offense penalty: $100 civil penalty.
A civil penalty starting at $100 for a first offense within a year, rising to $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 for repeat violations (Sec. 22-112).
Barking Dogs
In the Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, a dog's barking becomes a nuisance once it continues more than 15 minutes in any 30-minute window; neighbors file a written complaint with animal control to trigger the town's abatement process.
Key details: Noise threshold: 15+ min in any 30 min. Process: written complaint required. Abatement deadline: 7 days. Citation: $200 civil fine. Chickens: normal clucking excluded.
A confirmed barking-dog nuisance under § 6-71(a)(8) that isn't abated within the order's deadline draws a $200 civil citation per § 6-132, and repeat violations can lead to further enforcement or impoundment.
Decibel Limits
Cary's noise code makes it unlawful to create sound exceeding 60 dB(A) affecting another occupied residential structure, measured at the nearest residential property line, at any hour of the day.
Key details: Residential limit: 60 dB(A). Measured at: complainant's property line. Averaging period: 1 minute (§ 22-104). First offense fine: $100. Governing law: Cary Code § 22-107.
Exceeding 60 dB(A) at a neighboring residence (or spiking 3+ dB above any applicable limit) is enforceable under § 22-112: a $100 civil penalty for a first offense within a year, escalating to $1,000 for a fifth or later offense.
Aircraft Noise
The Town of Cary's noise ordinance exempts normal aircraft operations entirely, though scale model aircraft noise is not covered by the exemption.
Key details: Normal aircraft ops: Exempt from noise rules. Scale model aircraft: Not exempt. Condition: No serious bodily-harm risk. Also governs: FAA airspace jurisdiction.
None for exempt full-scale aircraft operations. Scale model aircraft noise that violates the general noise prohibition can draw a civil penalty starting at $100 (Sec. 22-112).
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Cary gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.
The Bottom Line
Cary's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Cary is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Cary's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.