Decibel Limits: Apex vs Cary

What is the legal decibel limit in Apex, NC?

Apex Town Code Sec. 14-31 (Chapter 14, Article III) codifies dB(A) caps in Table 1, with separate daytime and nighttime limits set by the zoning of the receiving (complainant) property. The numeric trigger is exceeding the Table 1 cap for more than ten percent of any measuring period - the measuring period being 100 consecutive ten-second readings. Sec. 14-30 requires the reading to be taken at least 10 feet inside the boundary of the complainant's property. A separate hard cap of 55 dB(A) at 20 ft applies under Sec. 14-33 to amplified sound used on or over any town street.

Can Apex Police use a decibel meter on my noise complaint?

Yes - unlike many North Carolina cities that rely on a reasonableness standard, Apex Town Code Sec. 14-31 explicitly requires meter-based enforcement against the Table 1 dB(A) caps, with measurement taken at least 10 feet inside the complainant's property boundary (Sec. 14-30) for 100 consecutive ten-second readings. The violation is triggered when the measured sound exceeds the cap for more than 10% of that period. Officers may also cite under Sec. 14-33 for enumerated prohibited noises (amplification on streets above 55 dB(A) at 20 ft, animal noise, construction outside hours) without a meter reading.