10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Durham County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In the City of Durham and its joint city-county jurisdiction, no sound may exceed 50 dB(A) at a neighbor's property line at night (11 p.m.–8 a.m.). Amplified radio or instruments that disturb repose between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. are separately prohibited.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(d)(2)
No nighttime (11:00 p.m.--8:00 a.m.) sound level shall exceed 50 dB(A);
In Durham, exterior building work — erection, excavation, demolition, alteration, repair, or outside cleaning — in a residential or business district is allowed only between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays (any day except Sunday), unless the city manager permits otherwise.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(b)(8)
The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair, or cleaning the outside of, any building in a residential or business district other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, except in cases of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety or convenience
Durham's noise ordinance makes it a violation to keep any animal or bird that, by frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort and repose of any nearby person. Chronic barking is enforced as an unreasonably loud and disturbing noise.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(b)(3)
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.
Durham has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Powered yard equipment is instead governed by the general 60 dB(A) daytime property-line limit, and properly muffled lawn/agricultural equipment used between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. is expressly exempt from the noise code.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(e)(5)
Sounds emanating from a motor vehicle, or lawnmower or agricultural equipment operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. when the vehicle or equipment is properly equipped with the manufacturer's or other authorized standard mufflers and sound reduction equipment and in use under proper operating conditions
In Durham it is unlawful to produce mechanically or electronically amplified sound that exceeds the code's dB(A) limits when measured beyond your property boundary, unless authorized by a permit. The caps are 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) at night.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(d)(1)
no person shall cause, produce, or allow any mechanically or electronically produced or amplified sound that: (i) exceeds the levels set out in subsection (d) of this section as such sound is measured at any point beyond the boundary of the property from which the sound emanates
Durham's noise ordinance expressly exempts sounds from the normal operation of properly equipped aircraft, and aircraft noise is federally regulated by the FAA. Model aircraft, however, are specifically excluded from that exemption and remain subject to the city noise limits.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(e)(4)
Sounds emanating from the normal operations of properly equipped aircraft (not including model aircraft);
Durham requires compressed-air mechanical devices to be effectively muffled, bars unmuffled engine exhaust and stationary-boiler steam whistles (except work/danger signals), and holds industrial sources to the 60 dB(A) daytime / 50 dB(A) nighttime property-line limits.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(b)(7)
The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled and reduced.
Durham sets numeric noise caps measured at your property line: no daytime or evening sound (after 8 a.m., before 11 p.m.) may exceed 60 dB(A), and no nighttime sound (11 p.m.–8 a.m.) may exceed 50 dB(A), using an A-weighted sound-level meter.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(d)(2),(3)
No nighttime (11:00 p.m.--8:00 a.m.) sound level shall exceed 50 dB(A); No daytime or evening (after 8:00 a.m.--before 11:00 p.m.) sound level shall exceed 60 dB(A);
Playing any radio, phonograph, or musical instrument loudly enough to annoy or disturb residents — particularly between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. — is a prohibited noise in Durham. Outdoor amplified music must also stay under the 60 dB(A) daytime / 50 dB(A) night caps.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(b)(2)
The playing of any radio, phonograph or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume, particularly during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence.
Durham prohibits operating any vehicle so out of repair, loaded, or driven as to create loud grating, grinding, or rattling noise, and bans discharging engine exhaust except through an effective muffler. Unnecessary horn-honking while stopped is also prohibited.
Durham Code Sec. 26-23(b)(4)
The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
1 cities in Durham County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Durham County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Durham County Ordinance Hub →