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Noise from Specific Sources in Charleston, WV (2026)

3 verified noise from specific sources rules for Charleston, West Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Bar & Nightclub Noise

Charleston makes it illegal for the owner, operator, or employee of any hotel, motel, restaurant, tavern, or other place open to the public to let patrons disturb others through boisterous conduct or unreasonably loud noise meant to annoy or alarm neighbors.

Charleston Bar and Tavern Noise Duty Law

Some Restrictions

Sec. 78-201

It shall be unlawful for any owner, operator or employee of any hotel, motel, restaurant, tavern or other place frequented by the public to permit any disturbance of the peace of others by violent, profane, indecent or boisterous conduct or language or by the making of unreasonably loud noise that is intended to cause annoyance or alarm to another person.

Car Alarm Limits

Charleston's noise ordinance requires burglar and fire alarms on vehicles to shut off within five minutes of activation, unless police are still responding to a legitimate emergency at the vehicle.

Charleston Caps Car Alarms at 5 Minutes

Some Restrictions

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

Noise from a burglar or fire alarm installed on any building, motor vehicle or other property so long as the alarm terminates its operation within five minutes of its activation; provided that it shall be deemed reasonable for an activated alarm to continue to operate if a crime or fire is in progress at or near the property and/or until law enforcement or other emergency personnel have respond...

Generator Noise

Street and event vendors in Charleston running a generator can't operate within 50 feet of any outdoor dining area, and generator noise still can't cross the citywide unreasonable-noise line.

Charleston Bans Vendor Generators Near Dining

Some Restrictions

Sec. 18-1061

A vendor operating a nonmotorized vending unit or mobilized vending vehicle may not make or cause to be made any unreasonable or excessive noise in violation of section 78-212 of this Code, including noise from generators. Any vendor operating a nonmotorized vending unit or mobilized vending vehicle in conjunction with an operational generator may not operate within 50 feet from any outdoor din...

Looking for Kanawha County county-wide rules?

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

Noise from Specific Sources in Kanawha County