Noise Ordinances in Cary, NC (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Cary, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Cary Construction Equipment Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 22-105(16)
(16) Construction Work. Performing construction work or operating construction machinery Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays which are observed by the state.
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.
Cary, NC Barking Dog Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 6-71(a)(8)
Allowing or permitting an animal or animals to make frequent or long continued sounds, including barking, whining, screeching, calling, howling or yowling in an excessive, continuous, habitual or untimely fashion, or to make other noise in such a manner and at such intervals so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises ("an...
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.
Cary Amplified Sound Equipment Limits
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 22-109(4)
Except in accordance with a permit obtained from the town, or as provided in section 22-110, the following shall be unlawful: ... (4) Other Amplified Sounds. As to sounds other than those listed in subsections (1)-(3) of this section, to operate or allow the operation of any sound amplification equipment so as to create sounds registering 60 dB(A) or greater affecting occupied residential struc...
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.
Cary NC Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 22-105(9)
The following acts and activities are exempt from the provisions of this article unless such acts produce a risk of serious and unnecessary bodily harm: ... (9) Aircraft. All noises coming from the normal operations of properly equipped aircraft, but not including scale model aircraft.
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.
Cary Residential Noise Decibel Limit
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 22-107
Except as provided in sections 22-105 (exceptions) or 22-109 (relating to amplified noise), it shall be unlawful for anyone to create or cause a sound that exceeds 60 dB(A) affecting any occupied residential structure or unit other than the unit occupied by the person creating the sound. (Code 1982, § 13-14; Ord. No. 93-29, 5-13-1993; Ord. No. 94-022, § 1, 8-11- 1994; Ord. No. 05-003, 2-24-2005...
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.
Cary Vehicle Noise & Stereo Law
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 22-108
It shall be unlawful to operate or allow the operation of any motor vehicle in the town: (1) By engaging in operations which create unreasonably loud and disturbing noises, or (2) By playing any radio, tape player, compact disc player or other sound-making device or instrument from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible 30 feet away from the vehicle.
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cary city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Wake County →