10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Forsyth County's "Loud and disturbing noise" ordinance singles out the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when playing a radio, instrument or amplifier that disturbs a reasonable resident in any nearby dwelling is prohibited. Winston-Salem adopts the county ordinance citywide.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1(b)(5)
The playing of any radio, phonograph, musical instrument, or sound production or amplifying equipment in such manner or with such volume at any time... but particularly during hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to frighten or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities in any dwelling.
Neither Forsyth County's Sec. 15-1 nor Winston-Salem's Chapter 46 sets a numeric construction-hours window. Instead, Winston-Salem Sec. 46-5 bans loud domestic tools, garage machinery and refuse front-end loaders near residences from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; daytime construction is judged by the reasonable-person standard.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5(a)
It shall be unlawful to carry on the following activities in any residentially zoned area of the city or within 300 feet of any residence in the city: ... The operation of garage machinery between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1 lists keeping any animal whose frequent or long-continued noise disturbs a reasonable neighbor as a prohibited "loud, disturbing" noise at any time of day or night. Lawful farm operations are expressly protected from this rule.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1(b)(3)
The keeping of any animal which, by causing frequent or long continued noise, shall frighten or disturb the quiet comfort and repose of any reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities in the vicinity, however, the provisions of this ordinance are preempted by state laws relating to farming and may not interfere with lawful farm operations.
Forsyth County and Winston-Salem set no leaf-blower-specific decibel or model ban. Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5 does make it unlawful to run lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered domestic tools outdoors near residences between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; leaf blowers fall in that category.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5(a)(3)
The operation of lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1 prohibits playing any radio, instrument or amplifying equipment at a volume that disturbs a reasonable resident, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Winston-Salem adopts this citywide and, in designated entertainment districts, sets a 300-foot plainly-audible limit.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-7(b)
It shall be unlawful for a commercial establishment within an entertainment district to play, operate, or cause to be played or operated, any amplified or non-amplified musical instrument or sound reproduction device in a manner that causes a noise disturbance... plainly audible... in excess of 300 feet measured from the perimeter of the entertainment district.
Forsyth County and Winston-Salem set no local decibel limit on aircraft; aircraft noise and operations are regulated federally by the FAA, which preempts most local rules. Winston-Salem's sound-amplification distance limits expressly do not apply to sound issued from aircraft.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-33(d)(6)
Except as otherwise provided, the volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of 100 feet from the sound truck... provided, however, that the limitation of audibility to a distance not in excess of 100 feet shall not apply to sound issued from aircraft.
Forsyth County sets no separate industrial decibel standard; commercial and industrial noise falls under Sec. 15-1's general prohibition on disturbing a reasonable person. Winston-Salem also has no numeric industrial table, relying on the same reasonable-person and plainly-audible tests plus zoning.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1(a)
Subject to the provisions of this section, the production or emission of noise, amplified speech, music, or other sounds that disturb or frighten individuals and is detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of any individual and the peace and dignity of the county is prohibited.
Forsyth County and Winston-Salem do not use a numeric decibel (dBA) standard. Enforcement is based on a "plainly audible" / reasonable-person test measured by distance, such as disturbing noise at 100 feet (county) or 50 feet from a vehicle stereo (Winston-Salem).
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-7(a)(5)
Plainly audible. Any sound for which any of the content of that sound is unambiguous, verifiable and discernible... the detection of any component of sound, including, but not limited to, rhythmic bass by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound.
Outdoor amplified or live music is governed by Forsyth County Sec. 15-1's reasonable-person standard, tightened at 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Winston-Salem exempts permitted outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting events, and applies a 300-foot rule inside entertainment districts.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-6(f)
Other outdoor events. Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting events, and other similar outdoor events for which a permit has been obtained from the appropriate permitting authority. However this exemption does not apply to activities covered by section 46-5(d).
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1 bans playing a radio or amplifier in a vehicle on public right-of-way loud enough to be disturbing at 100 feet, and covers loud, defective or improperly loaded vehicles. Winston-Salem tightens the car-audio distance to 50 feet under Sec. 46-36.
Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-36(a)
No person shall cause, allow or permit the operating or playing of any radio, tape player or similar device that reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to create noise at 50 feet from the device or vehicle containing that device when the device or vehicle is being operated in or on a public right-of-way or public space.
1 cities in Forsyth County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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