Decibel Limits: Cary vs Raleigh
How do decibel limits rules compare between Cary, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Cary, NC
Wake County
No data available yet for Cary.
Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Raleigh's noise ordinance at City Code Part 12, Chapter 6 uses measured decibel limits at the receiving property line. Typical daytime limits are 60 dB(A) in residential zones, 65 dB(A) in mixed-use, and 75 dB(A) in industrial zones. Nighttime limits - generally 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM - drop by roughly 10 dB(A) in each zone. A separate plainly audible standard allows police to cite amplified sound across a property line at night without a meter reading. Permitted festivals and concerts at venues like Red Hat Amphitheater temporarily raise the cap. Short impulse noises have separate peak-value limits.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cary FAQ
No FAQs available.
Raleigh FAQ
What does dB(A) mean?
The A-weighted decibel scale filters sound in a way that approximates how the human ear perceives loudness. Normal conversation at 3 feet is about 60 dB(A); a running vacuum cleaner is about 70 dB(A); typical city traffic is around 80 dB(A).
Do I need to rent a meter to make a complaint?
No. Residents report noise and the city sends an officer with a calibrated meter to document the violation. For nighttime amplified sound, the plainly audible standard can be enforced without a meter reading at all.
What happens during a permitted festival at Red Hat Amphitheater?
A city-issued special-event permit temporarily raises the allowed decibel level for the venue footprint. Neighbors can still complain if levels exceed the permit, but the normal residential cap does not apply during the permitted event.
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