Noise Rules: Apex vs Cary
How do noise rules rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex and Cary have similar restriction levels.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex does not codify short-term-rental-specific quiet hours; STR guests and operators are subject to the general Apex noise provisions in Apex Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions), which prohibits loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises that interfere with the peace and quiet of others. Enforcement is principally complaint-driven through the Apex Police Department (non-emergency 919-362-8661) for active disturbances and through Apex Code Enforcement for patterns. The operator (not just the guest) may be cited because the property owner is responsible for the use of the premises. While Apex itself does not impose a hard nighttime decibel cap exclusive to STRs, prudent operators post quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. in their house rules to set guest expectations and reduce nuisance-complaint risk that can trigger Housing Code or zoning enforcement attention.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
STR guests in Cary must comply with the town's general noise ordinance (Chapter 22). Unreasonably loud disturbances, particularly at night, can result in citations.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| STR-Specific Quiet Hours | Not codified; general noise ordinance applies | - |
| Governing Section | Apex Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 (Offenses) | - |
| Measurement Standard | Plain audibility / disturbance | - |
| Active Disturbance Contact | Apex Police non-emergency 919-362-8661 | - |
| Operator Liability | Property owner may be cited for guest noise | - |
| Recommended House-Rule Quiet Hours | 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (customary) | - |
| Chronic-Violator Backstop | NC G.S. 160D-1207(c): 4+ verified Article 11/12 violations in 12 months or 2+ in 30 days | - |
| Permit Revocation Risk | None at town level (Apex has no STR permit); HOA and civil nuisance remedies remain | - |
| Noise Standard | - | No unreasonably loud disturbances |
| Enforcement | - | Cary Police Department |
| Host Duty | - | Inform guests of noise expectations |
| Code Section | - | Chapter 22 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
What are quiet hours for a short-term rental in Apex, NC?
Apex does not codify short-term-rental-specific quiet hours. STR guests and operators are subject to the general noise provisions in Apex Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 (Offenses), which prohibits loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises that interfere with the peace and quiet of others, applied through a plain-audibility / disturbance standard by the Apex Police Department (non-emergency 919-362-8661). Most prudent operators post 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet hours in their house rules to set guest expectations even though those specific hours are not in the town code.
Can I be cited if my Airbnb guest throws a loud party in Apex?
Yes. The operator (property owner) - not only the renting guest - may be cited under Apex Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 because the property owner is responsible for the use of the premises and for whom they invite onto it. Repeat complaints tied to an Apex STR address are tracked by Apex Code Enforcement and may be referred to the Apex Planning Department for zoning use review. Apex does not have an STR permit it can revoke, but HOA enforcement, civil nuisance suits, and the NC G.S. 160D-1207(c) chronic-violator pathway (4+ verified Article 11/12 violations in 12 months, 2+ in 30 days, $500/year cap) all remain available.
Does Apex have a special STR noise ordinance?
No. Apex regulates STR-related noise through the same Chapter 13 general noise ordinance that applies to every household, party, contractor, and commercial property. North Carolina G.S. 160D-1207(c) preempts Apex from building an STR-permit framework with custom quiet-hours conditions, but the general noise and nuisance enforcement framework is unaffected. Operators should treat the citywide 'plain audibility / disturbance' standard as the operative rule and bake quiet-hours expectations into house rules to manage the gap.
Cary FAQ
What noise rules apply to Airbnb guests in Cary?
The same rules apply to all residents. Unreasonably loud, disturbing noise is prohibited under Chapter 22. The Police Department enforces complaints.
How do I report noisy STR guests in Cary?
Call the Cary Police Department non-emergency line for noise disturbances. Document the dates, times, and nature of the noise.
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