Noise Ordinances in Asheville, NC (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Asheville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Asheville limits permitted construction activity to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, absent an after-hours permit from the chief building official. Violators face a stop-work order plus a $500 civil penalty under Sec. 10-87.
Asheville Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 10-87(b), (g)
(b) Except where otherwise permitted in this article, no construction activity performed pursuant to a permit issued under chapter 4 of the City Code may be performed outside the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday absent an after-hours permit issued by the city's chief building official or their designee... (g) Failure to obtain an after-hours permit, or comply with an...
Barking Dogs
Asheville treats continual or repeated dog barking that disturbs a reasonably prudent neighbor as a public nuisance under Chapter 3's animal code, not the city's decibel-based noise ordinance. Sec. 3-9(a)(1) is enforced by Animal Control, and violations draw a civil penalty rather than a criminal charge.
Asheville Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 3-9(a)(1), (b)
(a) The keeping of any animal in such manner or in such numbers as to constitute a public nuisance is hereby prohibited. For the purposes of this section, a public nuisance shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) The keeping of any animal which by continued or repeated howling, yelping, barking or otherwise, causes loud noises which would disturb the quiet, comfort or repos...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Asheville bars aiming amplified sound at neighboring properties to attract attention to a business or event, and bans amplified sound audible past 150 feet of an operating school or medical clinic, under City Code § 10-85, unless a sound exceedance permit applies.
Asheville Amplified Sound Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 10-85(1)-(2)
Sec. 10-85. Prohibitions. Unless otherwise allowed by this chapter, no person shall engage in any of the following enumerated activities: (1) The intentional projection of sound from any amplified device or apparatus making or reproducing sounds onto adjoining or neighboring properties for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of noise to any business, location, performance, show, eve...
Aircraft Noise
Asheville exempts aircraft noise entirely from its municipal noise ordinance. Sec. 10-86(9) excepts "sound emanating from aircraft operated in accordance with applicable federal rules and regulations" from every Chapter 10 prohibition, deferring flight noise to FAA regulation instead of city enforcement.
Asheville Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 10-86(9)
(9) Sound emanating from aircraft operated in accordance with applicable federal rules and regulations;
Decibel Limits
Asheville caps outdoor sound at 72 dBA daytime and 67 dBA nighttime in the Central Business District, 65/57 dBA in commercial districts, and 70/65 dBA in industrial districts under City Code § 10-83, with extra cuts for tonal or repetitive noise.
Asheville Noise Decibel Limits by District
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 10-83
(c) Unless otherwise specified, no person shall cause or allow the emission of any sound originating from a district which, when measured pursuant to section 10-84, exceeds the maximum decibel limits specified in Table 1. Table 1. Sound Level Limits: Originating District dB(A): CBD Commercial Industrial. Daytime, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM: 72 65 70. Nighttime, 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM: 67 57 65. (1) In Ce...
Vehicle Noise
Asheville bans operating any motor vehicle with a non-functional or missing muffler-exhaust system, and using unmuffled engine compression ("jake") brakes outside emergencies, under City Code § 10-85(3)-(4), enforced with escalating civil penalties.
Asheville Muffler and Engine Brake Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 10-85(3)-(4)
Sec. 10-85. Prohibitions. Unless otherwise allowed by this chapter, no person shall engage in any of the following enumerated activities: ... (3) Operating any motor vehicle with a non-functional or absent muffler-exhaust and/or noise control system; (4) Using unmuffled engine compression brakes except when required due to an emergency driving situation; (5) Sounding any natural or amplified si...
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