How Winston-Salem Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Winston-Salem maintains 129 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Winston-Salem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Barking Dogs

A dog barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes is a nuisance in Winston-Salem. Forsyth County Animal Control handles complaints under the joint city-county agreement.

Key details: Continuous: 10 minutes triggers nuisance. Intermittent: 30 minutes triggers nuisance. Enforcement: Forsyth County Animal Control. First Fine: 50 to 100 dollars. Report: 336-703-2480.

First offense: written warning. Second offense: 50 to 100 dollar civil penalty. Continuing nuisance: up to 500 dollars and possible court-ordered abatement.

Construction Hours

Construction noise is allowed 7 AM to 7 PM Mon-Sat in Winston-Salem residential areas. Sunday work or hours outside 7-7 require a permit. Emergency utility work is exempt.

Key details: Weekday Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM. Saturday: 7 AM to 7 PM. Sunday: Prohibited without permit. Emergency Work: Exempt. Fine: 100 to 500 dollars.

Stop-work orders possible for repeated violations. Civil penalties begin at 100 dollars and escalate up to 500 dollars per day of continued violation.

Vehicle Noise

Car audio audible 50+ feet from a vehicle violates Winston-Salem noise code. Exhausts louder than stock are prohibited under N.C.G.S. 20-128. WSPD enforces on sight.

Key details: Audio Limit: Audible beyond 50 feet. Exhaust: Must match stock loudness. State Law: N.C.G.S. 20-128. Jake Brakes: Restricted on city streets. Fine: 50 to 250 dollars.

Car audio violation: civil penalty 50 to 250 dollars. Illegal exhaust: N.C.G.S. 20-128 infraction with court costs. Jake brake violation: 100 dollar fine.

Aircraft Noise

Smith Reynolds (INT) and Piedmont Triad (GSO) aircraft noise is federally preempted under 49 U.S.C. 40103. Winston-Salem cannot regulate flights. Airports use FAA Part 150 programs.

Key details: Federal Preemption: 49 U.S.C. 40103. Smith Reynolds: INT reliever airport. Local Authority: None over flights. Noise Program: FAA Part 150 at GSO.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Winston-Salem is more permissive than most cities when it comes to aircraft noise. That said, there are still limits.

Industrial Noise

Winston-Salem commercial noise must not exceed about 65 dBA at the nearest residential line by day or 55 dBA at night. Loading docks and HVAC near homes require noise buffers.

Key details: Daytime Limit: Approximately 65 dBA at line. Nighttime Limit: Approximately 55 dBA. Measured At: Nearest residential line. Escalation: Special use permit review.

First violation: 250 dollar civil penalty. Subsequent: up to 500 dollars per day. Chronic violators may face business license review.

Leaf Blower Rules

Winston-Salem does not ban gas leaf blowers but restricts use to 7 AM to 7 PM in residential zones. Commercial crews follow general noise rules. No decibel-specific blower ordinance exists.

Key details: Allowed Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM. Gas Blowers: Not banned. HOAs: May restrict further. Quiet Hours: Not plainly audible at 50 ft.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Winston-Salem gives residents more flexibility on leaf blower rules.

Quiet Hours

Winston-Salem noise ordinance sets quiet hours from 11 PM to 7 AM in residential zones. Sound plainly audible 50 feet beyond the property line during quiet hours is a civil violation. WSPD enforces complaints.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 11 PM to 7 AM weekdays. Weekend Hours: 11:30 PM to 7 AM Fri-Sat. Standard: Plainly audible at 50 ft. State Law: N.C.G.S. 14-288.4. Enforcement: WSPD non-emergency line.

First offense: warning. Second offense: civil citation around 100 dollars. Subsequent offenses: up to 500 dollars. Criminal charges under N.C.G.S. 14-288.4 possible for disorderly conduct.

Amplified Music & Events

Amplified music in Winston-Salem must not be plainly audible at 50 feet from the property line during quiet hours (11 PM to 7 AM). Downtown entertainment district venues hold special noise variances for outdoor events.

Key details: Quiet Hours: Audible at 50 ft violates. Daytime: Audible at 100 ft violates. Downtown District: Variance until 1 AM. First Fine: 100 dollars.

Civil penalty 100 dollars first offense, 250 dollars second, up to 500 dollars thereafter. Equipment seizure possible for repeat offenses.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Winston-Salem gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 2 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Winston-Salem'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.