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Noise Ordinances in Charleston, WV (2026)

8 verified noise ordinances for Charleston, West Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Charleston's noise ordinance bans excessive noise citywide and only exempts power tools, landscaping and yard equipment from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends and holidays, with fines up to $500 for repeat offenders.

Charleston Sets Noise Quiet Hours

Some Restrictions

Sec. 78-212(c), (f)(1)e, (g)

Subject to the exceptions contained herein, no person shall make, continue or cause to be made any noise as defined herein. ... Noise from domestic power tools, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, and agricultural equipment when operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays;

Construction Hours

Charleston's noise ordinance exempts construction, drilling, earthmoving, excavating, and demolition activity from noise restrictions at any hour, as long as motorized equipment carries a functioning muffler.

Charleston Exempts Construction Noise From Hours

Few Restrictions

Sec. 78-212(f)(1)i.

Noise from construction, drilling, earthmoving, excavating, or demolition activity provided all motorized equipment used in such activity is equipped with functioning mufflers;

Barking Dogs

Charleston law makes it illegal to keep a dog or cat in a residential district whose frequent or continued barking disturbs the comfort or repose of nearby residents, enforceable under the city's general animal-code penalty.

Charleston Bars Barking Dogs That Disturb Neighbors

Some Restrictions

Sec. 10-6.

It shall be unlawful to own any animal, including a dog or cat, in a residentially-zoned district, which by frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person within the vicinity of such animal, or shall by the nature of their maintenance or by the numbers of the same shall create an offensive odor so as to be objectionable to surrounding residences. All dogs and...

Leaf Blower Rules

Charleston limits noisy yard equipment, including leaf blowers, to daytime hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends and holidays under the city's noise ordinance.

Charleston Leaf Blower Noise Hours

Some Restrictions

Sec. 78-212(f)(1)e.

Noise from domestic power tools, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, and agricultural equipment when operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays;

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Charleston's noise-control ordinance bans unreasonable outdoor noise citywide, so unpermitted outdoor amplified or live music that disturbs neighbors can draw a citation, but city-sponsored festivals and school events get a built-in exemption.

Charleston Outdoor Amplified Music Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Charleston City Code Sec. 78-212

(c)Noise prohibited; generally. Subject to the exceptions contained herein, no person shall make, continue or cause to be made any noise as defined herein... Noise generated from city sponsored or approved celebrations or events, including, but not limited to, parades, outdoor concerts, and athletic events;... FestivAll, Live on the Levee, Doo-Wop and Rod Run, Symphony Sunday, The Wine and Jazz...

Aircraft Noise

Charleston's zoning code blocks any helipad or heliport from creating a noise nuisance or sitting too close to a residential zoning district.

Charleston Bars Noisy Helipads Near Homes

Some Restrictions

Charleston Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 3-060(26)(a)-(b)

Helipads or heliports shall comply with the following: a. A helipad or heliport shall not create a nuisance due to traffic, noise, or proximity to a residential zoning district. b. Proposals shall be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and a report submitted to the planning Commission prior to action. c. A helipad or heliport shall ...

Decibel Limits

Charleston's citywide noise ban covers industrial and commercial sources too, but exempts noise from a properly licensed enterprise operating lawfully in a correctly zoned area, plus time-limited exemptions for commercial power tools near homes.

Charleston Industrial and Commercial Noise Standard

Some Restrictions

Sec. 78-212(c), (f)(1)f., (f)(1)h.

Subject to the exceptions contained herein, no person shall make, continue or cause to be made any noise as defined herein. ... Noise generated during the normal course of business by any properly licensed commercial or industrial enterprise operating lawfully within an area properly zoned for said enterprise, unless or until said lawful business use is deemed abandoned as a matter of law or fact

Vehicle Noise

Charleston requires motor vehicles to run quietly, bans car stereo sound audible 25 feet away, and prohibits cutout mufflers and unnecessary dynamic-braking noise, with fines escalating from $100 to $500 per offense.

Charleston Bans Loud Vehicle Stereos, Cutout Mufflers

Some Restrictions

Sec. 78-212(d)(1)-(2)

No person shall operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat in such a manner so as to cause unnecessary noise within the city. No person operating or occupying a motor vehicle on a street or highway shall amplify from within the motor vehicle the sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical soundmaking device or instrument used for entertainment, so that the sound is plain...

Looking for Kanawha County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Kanawha County