Noise Ordinances in Gaston County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Gaston County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Barking Dogs
A dog that disturbs neighbors with continued or repeated howling, yelping or barking is a nuisance animal under Code of Ordinances § 3-5(e)(1), but only after two households complain, or one on a parcel over an acre.
Gaston County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsGaston County Code of Ordinances § 3-5(e)(1)
(1)The keeping of any animal which by continued or repeated howling, yelping, barking or otherwise, causes loud noises which disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Playing a radio, amplifier, loud speaker or musical instrument loudly enough to disturb neighboring inhabitants is a nuisance noise violation under Code of Ordinances § 8-1(a)(2), punishable as a misdemeanor.
Gaston County Amplified Sound Ordinance
Some RestrictionsGaston County Code of Ordinances § 8-1(a)(2)
(2)Radios, phonographs, tape players, musical instruments, etc.: The playing of any radio, phonograph, tape player, musical instrument, amplifier, loud speakers or other device used for the production or reproduction of sound in such a manner or with such volume as to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of any neighboring inhabitants.
Decibel Limits
Code of Ordinances § 8-2 sets numeric maximum sound-pressure levels by octave band across residential, commercial and manufacturing districts, from 65-80 decibels at low frequencies down to 40-49 decibels at the highest frequencies.
Gaston County Noise Decibel Table by District
Some RestrictionsGaston County Code of Ordinances § 8-2(b), Table I
TABLE I—LIMITING NOISE LEVELS FOR USE DISTRICTS Octave band Maximum Permissible Sound Pressure Center frequency (Levels in Decibels re 0.0002 Microbars) Cycles Per Second Use District Residential Commercial Manufacturing Below 75 65 79 80 75—150 60 74 75 150—300 55 66 70 300—600 55 59 64 600—1200 45 53 58 1200—2400 45 47 53 2400—4800 40 41 49 Above 4800 40 49 46
Vehicle Noise
Excessive horn use, unmuffled exhaust and defective, rattling vehicles are all separately banned nuisance noises under Code of Ordinances § 8-1(a)(1), (6) and (7), each punishable as a misdemeanor.
Gaston County Vehicle Exhaust and Horn Rule
Some RestrictionsGaston County Code of Ordinances § 8-1(a)(1), (6), (7)
(1)Horns, signaling devices, etc.: The unnecessary or excessive sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle on any street, public place or on private property within the county, except as a signal of warning or danger. The sounding of any such device for an unnecessary or unreasonable length of time. The production by means of any such dev...
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