Noise Ordinances in Catawba County, NC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Catawba County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Catawba County's noise ordinance sets an 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. quiet period during which firearm discharge and garage or service-station machinery are barred, under Code Sec. 16-69(9) and (12), part of the same article that separately restricts construction equipment and lawn tools overnight.
Catawba County Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code of Ordinances § 16-69(9), (12)
(9)The discharge of all manner of firearms is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except as required in the hunting and taking of animal prey or in the defense of person or property. The discharge of firearms shall also be in accordance with section 22-61. ... (12)Operation of garage or service station machinery or equipment between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. ex...
Construction Hours
Catawba County bars most building construction and demolition noise outside 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays in areas not zoned commercial or industrial, and separately bans running construction machinery anywhere between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Code Sec. 16-69(6) and (13).
Catawba County Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code of Ordinances § 16-69(6), (13)
(6)The excavation, erection, demolition, alteration or repair of any building in any area not zoned for commercial or industrial use at any time other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety. ... (13)Operation of construction machinery or equipment between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Barking Dogs
Catawba County outlaws keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent, habitual, repeated or excessive noise under County Code Sec. 16-69(7), part of the county's noise ordinance adopted under G.S. 153A-133. The Sheriff's Office investigates complaints and can issue a criminal citation; a first offense is a class 3 misdemeanor.
Catawba County Barking Dog Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code of Ordinances § 16-69(7)
Without limiting the generality of section 16-68, the following acts are specifically declared to be unlawful and in violation of this article: ... (7)The keeping of any animal or bird which causes frequent, habitual, repeated or excessive noise.
Leaf Blower Rules
Catawba County bars running lawn mowers or other power-operated domestic tools, including leaf blowers, outdoors between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Code Sec. 16-69(14); the county sets no gas-versus-electric distinction and no daytime decibel limit.
Catawba County Leaf Blower Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code of Ordinances § 16-69(14)
(14)Operation of lawn mowers or other power-operated domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Catawba County bars playing sound amplification devices, TVs or musical instruments loudly enough to unreasonably disturb residents or interfere with churches, schools or libraries, and separately bans using amplified sound to attract attention to any commercial venture.
Catawba County Amplified Sound Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code § 16-69(10)-(11)
(10)The playing or use of any sound amplification device, television, or any musical instrument so as to unreasonably disturb the comfort, quiet or repose of persons in any place of residence or so as to interfere substantially with the operations of any church, school, theater, library or other similar place of assembly.(11)The use of any sound amplification device, musical instrument, or othe...
Vehicle Noise
Catawba County bans unnecessary horn use, driving without a proper muffler, tire-screeching or engine-racing, and loud grating, grinding or backfiring vehicles under Code Sec. 16-69(1) through (4), enforced by the Sheriff's Office as a class 3 misdemeanor.
Catawba County Vehicle Noise Ordinance
Some RestrictionsCatawba County Code of Ordinances § 16-69(1)-(4)
(1)The blowing of a horn on any motor vehicle except when the horn is used as a warning device.(2)The operation of any motor vehicle or any engine without a muffler, or with a muffler that is so defective or so designed that the vehicle emits an unusually loud noise.(3)The operation of a motor vehicle so as to create unusual noises through the screeching of tires or racing of engines.(4)The ope...
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