Noise Ordinances in Brunswick County, NC (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
In unincorporated Brunswick County, radios, TVs, musical instruments and similar sound devices cannot be operated so that sound is plainly audible on a neighboring property between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This curfew is part of the county's Noise Ordinance and does not apply inside Leland, Southport, Oak Island or the county's other incorporated towns.
Brunswick County, NC Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(4)
(4)Radios, television sets, musical instruments and similar devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, compact disc player, or other sound reproduction device, or any drum, musical instrument, or similar device in such a manner as to permit sound to be plainly audible within an affected property or through partitions common to two (2) dwelling u...
Construction Hours
Brunswick County bans plainly audible construction or demolition noise in the unincorporated county between 7:00 p.m. (or sunset, whichever is later) and 7:00 a.m. Code Section 1-9-563(9) sets the curfew, and the same hours apply to lawn care equipment like leaf blowers and mowers under Section 1-9-563(10).
Brunswick County Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(9)
(9)Construction or demolition activities. The creation of any noise emanating from construction or demolition activities that is plainly audible within an affected property or through partitions common to two (2) dwelling units within a building between the hours of 7:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later, and 7:00 a.m.
Barking Dogs
Brunswick County treats a dog that barks nonstop for five minutes, or intermittently for ten, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as prima facie evidence of a noise violation. Code Section 1-9-563(8) sets the objective vocalization thresholds the Sheriff's Office uses to cite an owner in the unincorporated county.
Brunswick County Barking Dog Noise Violation Rule
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(8)
(8)Domesticated or caged animals. Domesticated or caged animals that without provocation, vocalize a noise that is plainly audible within an affected property or through partitions common to two (2) dwelling units within a building between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Prima facie evidence of a violation of this section shall include, but not be limited to: a.Vocalizing (howling, yelpin...
Leaf Blower Rules
In unincorporated Brunswick County, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other lawn care equipment cannot be run so that the noise is plainly audible on a neighbor's property between 7:00 p.m. (or sunset, whichever is later) and 7:00 a.m. The rule sits inside the county's general Noise Ordinance and applies only outside the county's incorporated towns.
Brunswick County, NC Leaf Blower Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(10)
(10)Lawn care equipment. The creation of any noise emanating from yard tools, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other lawn care equipment that is plainly audible within an affected property or through partitions common to two (2) dwelling units within a building between the hours of 7:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later, and 7:00 a.m.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Brunswick County bars loudspeakers, public address systems, mobile sound trucks, and similar amplified sound equipment from being plainly audible on a neighboring property, or through shared walls between units, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Code Section 1-9-563(5) sets the curfew; the Sheriff's Office enforces it countywide, outside the incorporated towns.
Brunswick County Loudspeaker and PA Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(5)
(5)Loudspeakers, public address systems and sound trucks. Using, operating or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device amplifying sound therefrom for any purpose in such a manner as to permit sound to be plainly audible within an affected property, or through partitions common to two (2) dwelling units within a building between t...
Aircraft Noise
Brunswick County's noise ordinance expressly exempts normal aircraft and airport noise from every quiet-hours and plainly-audible limit that applies to other sound sources in the unincorporated county. Only scale-model aircraft are excluded from that exemption and remain subject to the general noise rules.
Brunswick County, NC Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-565(a)(11)
(a)The following are exempt from the provisions of section 1-9-563: ... (11)All noises coming from the normal operations of aircraft (not including scale model aircraft) and all noises emanating from any airport within the county;
Vehicle Noise
Brunswick County bans motor vehicle and motorcycle exhaust or mechanical noise that carries 200 feet or more, and car stereo or sound-amplifying noise audible at 50 feet, anywhere in the unincorporated county, at any hour. Unnecessary horn or whistle use is separately prohibited except as a danger warning.
Brunswick County, NC Vehicle Exhaust and Stereo Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-563(3)
(3)Vehicles. Operation of a motor vehicle or operation of a motorcycle within the county that creates mechanical or exhaust noise that is plainly audible at a distance of two hundred (200) feet or more from the vehicle. Operation of sound amplifying equipment in a motor vehicle at a volume plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the vehicle.
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