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.

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.

Vehicle Noise

Cary Code § 22-108 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle in town with unreasonably loud and disturbing noise, or to play a stereo from inside the vehicle so it is plainly audible 30 feet away. Business and political sound vehicles get a limited 60 dB(A) allowance, and civil penalties start at $100.

Key details: Loud driving noise: Prohibited. Stereo threshold: Plainly audible 30 feet away from the vehicle. Who is covered: Anyone who operates or allows the operation. 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).

Aircraft Noise

The Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, exempts all noises from the normal operations of properly equipped aircraft from its noise ordinance. Scale model aircraft are carved out of that exemption, so a model plane is judged like any other noise source. The exemption also ends if the noise produces a risk of serious and unnecessary bodily harm.

Key details: Aircraft exemption: Normal operations of properly equipped aircraft, Sec. 22-105(9). Not exempt: Scale model aircraft. Exemption lost if: Risk of serious and unnecessary bodily harm. First civil penalty: $100.00 per violation. Fifth offense in one year: $1,000.00.

Violations of the noise article carry a civil penalty of $100.00 for a first offense, $250.00 for a second within one year, $500.00 for a third, $750.00 for a fourth, and $1,000.00 for a fifth or later, under Section 22-112(a). Penalties are due within 72 hours of issuance. A violation is also a misdemeanor under Section 22-112(c), and the Town can seek equitable remedies in court. These penalties do not reach exempt aircraft operations.

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.