Noise Ordinances in Burke County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Burke County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Burke County bars any unreasonably loud or excessive noise at any hour, and treats loud noise made between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or noise continued after actual notice it is disturbing neighbors, as automatic evidence of a violation.
Burke County Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 26-283
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, or to create or knowingly assist in creating, any unreasonably loud, excessive noise or sound in the county, taking into consideration the volume, duration, frequency, time and other characteristics of the sound. ... Making such unreasonably loud, excessive noise or sound between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and...
Construction Hours
In unincorporated Burke County, loud construction noise, including excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of a building in a residential or business district, is barred outside the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., unless there is an urgent public-safety necessity and a special permit has been issued.
Construction Noise Hours in Burke County
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 26-284(7)
The creation of unreasonably loud noises and sound levels caused by or during the erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building in a residential or business district other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on any day, except in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety and then only after the issuance of a special permit i...
Barking Dogs
Burke County Animal Services can cite a dog owner in unincorporated Burke County whose dog habitually or repeatedly barks: three or more barks a minute for at least 15 minutes counts as a public nuisance under Code § 6-114(a)(1). A first violation draws a warning; anything after that is a uniform citation with an escalating fine schedule under § 6-131.
Barking Dog Nuisance Rules in Burke County
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 6-114
Sec. 6-114. - Animals creating a nuisance.(a)The following acts or actions by an owner or possessor of an animal are hereby declared to be unlawful:(1)It shall be unlawful for any dog owner to keep a dog that habitually or repeatedly barks in such a manner or to such an extent that it is a public nuisance. The term "habitually or repeatedly" is defined as three or more times per minute for no l...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Unincorporated Burke County singles out amplified sound equipment, from stereos and radios to outdoor concert speakers and advertising loudspeakers, as unreasonably loud noise, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and requires a county permit for outdoor musical events and loudspeaker advertising.
Amplified Sound Rules in Burke County
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 26-284(2),(3),(8)
The playing of any musical instrument, television, radio, stereo or electronic sound amplification equipment in such manner or with such volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., such that a reasonably prudent person would recognize as likely to unreasonably disturb persons in the vicinity. ... The creation of unreasonably loud noises and sound levels caused by musical...
Vehicle Noise
Unincorporated Burke County bans unnecessary or unreasonably loud horn use and treats any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, modified, loaded, or operated that it creates unreasonably loud sounds as a noise violation.
Vehicle Horn and Noise Rules in Burke County
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 26-284(1),(4)
The sounding of any horn or similar signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle on any street or in any public place of the county except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any such horn or signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of any such horn for any unnecessary unreasonable period of time. ... The use of any ... automob...
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