10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Guilford County, NC, noise ordinance Sec. 11-8 bans unreasonably loud, disturbing, annoying or unnecessary noise at any hour. It singles out 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for amplified sound, when music audible 30 feet past your property line is presumed illegal.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(2)
The playing of any radio, television set, record player, stereo or other sound reproduction system... particularly but not limited to the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as to be an unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing or unnecessary manner as defined above.
Guilford County's noise ordinance sets no general clock-hour window for private construction; it is judged by the Sec. 11-8 disturbance standard. Government-contract street construction is exempt, with blasting and pile driving limited to 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(d)(2)
Blasting and pile driving on street projects are covered under this exemption only to the extent that they are carried on between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
A dog or bird that, by frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort and repose of neighbors is a declared noise violation under Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(4). There is no fixed minute limit; the sheriff and Animal Services respond to complaints.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(4)
Animals. 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.
Guilford County has no leaf-blower-specific ban or hour rule. A gas leaf blower is judged under the general Sec. 11-8 standard: if it makes unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise given the time and neighborhood, it can be a violation. Cities may impose stricter limits.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8 (definitions)
Unnecessary. Any excessive or unusually loud sound... as to disturb the peace and quiet of any neighborhood... and being a type of sound which could be lessened or otherwise controlled by the maker without unduly restricting his conduct.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8 targets amplified music directly. Sound from a home stereo is presumed unlawful if audible 30 feet past your property line, and a commercial venue's amplified sound heard 30 feet past its property line is presumed illegal between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(2)
A presumption is created that the noise is unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing and unnecessary if the sound generated is audible at a distance of thirty (30) feet or more from the dwelling's property line.
Guilford County does not regulate aircraft noise. Sec. 11-8 expressly exempts noise from aircraft and from any activities on Piedmont Triad Airport Authority property. Flight noise is regulated by the FAA; complaints about PTI overflights go through the airport and FAA, not the county.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(d)(4)
Noise originating from aircraft or from any activities conducted upon property of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority.
Industrial and commercial noise in unincorporated Guilford County is governed by Sec. 11-8, which reaches business entities. Compressed-air devices, steam whistles and engine exhaust must be muffled, and zoning is a factor. Bona fide farm operations are exempt from the noise ordinance.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(8)
Compressed air devices. The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air unless unreasonably loud, annoying disturbing or unnecessary noise created thereby is effectively muffled and reduced.
Guilford County's noise ordinance is not decibel-based. Sec. 11-8 sets no dBA numbers; instead it uses a reasonableness standard plus a 30-foot audibility test for amplified sound and vehicle stereos. Officers weigh time, proximity, volume and zoning rather than a meter reading.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(a)
In determining whether a noise is unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing, or unnecessary, the following factors... are to be considered: time of day; proximity to residential structures; whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant; the volume and intensity...
Outdoor music in unincorporated Guilford County falls under Sec. 11-8. Using a loudspeaker to attract attention to a show, sale or event is a declared violation, and venue amplified sound heard 30 feet past the property line is presumed illegal from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(11)
The use of any mechanical loudspeakers or other mechanically amplified device within or from any commercial establishment or private entertainment or recreational venue is presumed to be unreasonably loud... if the sound... may be heard at a distance from thirty (30) feet or more of the facility's property line, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8 bans loud car stereos, blaring horns, screeching tires and defective exhaust. A vehicle sound system is presumed illegal if audible or felt 30 feet or more away, and exhaust must pass through a muffler that prevents unnecessary noise.
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8(b)(3)
A presumption is created that the sound thus created is unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing and unnecessary if the sound generated or noise vibration therefrom is audible or can be felt at a distance of thirty (30) feet or more from the... device that is producing the sound.
2 cities in Guilford County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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