Outdoor Music: Apex vs Cary

Do I need a permit for outdoor music in Apex?

For events held on town property or in the public right-of-way (downtown North Salem Street, Apex Community Park, Salem Pond Park), a Town-issued special event permit is required - the Town Council administers the special-event approval process and can impose conditions including sound-management plans, amplification windows, and route closures. Without a permit, amplified sound on or over any town street is capped at 55 dB(A) at 20 feet under Sec. 14-33. On private property, the Sec. 14-31 Table 1 dB(A) property-line cap (separate daytime and nighttime limits) applies.

Can I hold a concert in downtown Apex on Saturday night?

Yes, with a Town-issued special event permit through the Town Council's special-event process. Permitted street festivals (Peakfest, Friday-night summer concert series, holiday market) routinely operate amplified outdoor music on or near North Salem Street under approved sound-management plans. Without a permit, Sec. 14-33's 55-dB(A)-at-20-ft cap applies to any amplified sound used on or over town streets, and on adjacent private property the Sec. 14-31 nighttime Table 1 cap applies at the complainant's property line.