Noise Ordinances in Chatham County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Chatham County exempts construction noise from its noise ordinance only during set hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, under County Code § 92.05(A). Work with a required building permit, or work that needs none, must run within those hours using properly maintained, manufacturer-equipped mufflers and noise-reducing equipment.
Chatham County Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code § 92.05(A)
The following sounds shall be exempt from provisions of this chapter: (A) Construction operations from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays for which building permits have been issued, or construction operations not requiring permits during such hours, provided all equipment is operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and with all stand...
Barking Dogs
Unincorporated Chatham County treats habitual barking, whining or howling that disturbs a neighbor's use of their property as a public nuisance. Animal Services investigates complaints, orders the owner to abate, and can pursue a misdemeanor charge with civil penalties starting at $100 if the noise continues.
Chatham County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code §§ 91.001(2)(d), 91.035, 91.999(B)
(d) Any animal which habitually barks, whines, howls, or otherwise creates excessive and repetitive noise which annoys and disturbs the rights, and privileges, and reasonable expectations of other person(s) rendering the ordinary use or occupation of any person’s property physically or emotionally uncomfortable. ... It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow his or her animal or animals to c...
Decibel Limits
Unincorporated Chatham County caps noise at 60 decibels at the receiving property without a permit, under County Code § 92.04. A noise permit raises the ceiling to 80 decibels during set hours, Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., then requires an immediate drop back to 60 decibels.
Chatham County Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code § 92.04
(A) The maximum permissible daily standard shall not exceed 60 decibels without a permit by the receiving land. The maximum permissible daily standard with a permit shall not exceed 80 decibels by the receiving land, and shall be immediately reduced to 60 decibels as defined in the time table listed in division (B) of this section. (B) Unless a permit has been issued no person shall exce...
Vehicle Noise
Chatham County exempts motor vehicle noise from its noise ordinance only when the vehicle runs its manufacturer's standard muffler and noise-reducing equipment in proper operating condition, under County Code § 92.05(F). Vehicles with removed, modified, or defective mufflers, such as loud aftermarket exhaust, lose that exemption and can be cited under the county's general noise prohibition.
Chatham County Vehicle Muffler Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code §§ 92.02, 92.05(F)
Unreasonably loud and disturbing noises prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to make, permit, continue or cause to be made or to create any unreasonably loud and disturbing noise in the county regardless of its source. A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor. ... (F) All noises coming from motor vehicles properly equipped with the manufacturer's standa...
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