Noise from Specific Sources in Brunswick County, NC (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Generator Noise
Brunswick County's noise ordinance exempts generator noise from its civil and criminal penalties when the generator is run as part of emergency work during a natural disaster or a declared State of Emergency. Outside of that emergency context, the ordinance has no separate generator-specific rule.
Brunswick County, NC Emergency Generator Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-565(a)(14)
(14)All noises emanating from emergency work during a natural disaster, declared State of Emergency, or other incident requiring emergent activity to protect life or property, including, but not limited to, construction activities, generator use, machinery or heavy equipment.
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Brunswick County's noise ordinance does not need a decibel meter to prove a car stereo or personal sound system is too loud. Under Code Section 1-9-562, hearing the rhythmic bass component of music alone is enough to establish 'plainly audible' sound, the trigger the county uses across its vehicle, radio, and loudspeaker noise violations.
Brunswick County Bass Noise 'Plainly Audible' Standard
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-9-562
Plainly audible. Any sound, other than unamplified human conversation, that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties. For example, if the sound source under investigation is a vehicular or personal sound production device, the detection of the rhythmic bass component of music is sufficient to establish plainly audible sound. It is not necessary to identify the titl...
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