10 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Buncombe County, playing any radio, TV, instrument, or amplifying device so loud it disturbs a neighbor's repose is unlawful, especially between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The county uses a nuisance standard, not decibel meters.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(2)
The playing of any radio, television set, record player, musical instrument or sound-producing or sound-amplifying device in such a manner or with such volume, particularly but not limited to the hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person of normal sensibilities.
In unincorporated Buncombe County, building erection, demolition, alteration, or repair in a residential district is prohibited between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Work outside those hours needs an urgent-necessity permit from the county manager.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(9)
Building operations. The erection (including excavation) demolition, alteration, or repair of any building in a residential district between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. of any day, except in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety and then only with a permit from the county manager.
Keeping any animal or bird that, by frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort and repose of neighbors is a prohibited noise in unincorporated Buncombe County. Farm-animal noise is expressly exempt.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(3)
Pets. The keeping of any animal or bird, which, by causing frequent or long continued noise, shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity.
Buncombe County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Blowers and power fans fall under the general noise rule: they must be adequately muffled so they don't unreasonably disturb neighbors in the unincorporated county.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(14)
Blowers, engines. The operation of any noise-creating blower, power fan, or any internal combustion engine... unless the noise emitting therefrom is sufficiently muffled and the engine is equipped with a muffler device sufficient to deaden such noise, so that the same shall not cause annoyance to the public.
In unincorporated Buncombe County, amplified music or sound that annoys or disturbs neighbors, especially 11 p.m.-7 a.m., is prohibited. Commercial loudspeaker advertising is banned outright; noncommercial speech is capped at 150 feet audibility.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(16)
It shall be unlawful for any person to speak into a loudspeaker or amplifier within the limits of the county, when such loudspeaker or amplifier is so adjusted that the voice of the speaker is amplified to the extent that it is audible at a distance in excess of 150 feet from the person speaking.
Buncombe County has no aircraft-noise ordinance and cannot enforce one. Aircraft operations and noise are regulated by the FAA under federal law, which preempts local rules. The county noise ordinance does not reach aircraft in flight.
Noise from the normal operations of any commercial or industrial enterprise is exempt from Buncombe County's noise ordinance, except for electronically amplified sound. Malfunctioning or unmuffled equipment can still be cited.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-184(4)
The following uses and activities shall be exempt from the noise regulations... Noises resulting from the normal operations of any commercial or industrial enterprise, except electronically amplified sound.
Buncombe County's noise ordinance sets no numeric decibel limit. Instead it prohibits any 'unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary' noise, judged by a reasonable-person standard rather than a sound meter.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to make, permit, continue, or cause to be made or to create any unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise in the county.
Outdoor amplified music in unincorporated Buncombe County is governed by the general noise rule: it cannot disturb neighbors, especially 11 p.m.-7 a.m. Recognized community celebrations, festivals, and public events are expressly exempt.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-184(8)
The noise ordinance shall not apply to any event held in recognition of a community celebration of national, state, county events or public festivals.
In unincorporated Buncombe County, running a vehicle so out of repair or loaded that it makes loud grating, rattling, or screeching noise, or discharging exhaust without an effective muffler, is a prohibited noise. Unnecessary horn use is also banned.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(4)
Use of vehicles. The use of any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in such a manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, screeching of tires or other noises.
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