Noise Ordinances in Johnston County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Johnston County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Barking Dogs
A dog or other animal that barks or makes noise frequently or continuously enough to disturb neighbors violates section 12-32(d)(4) in unincorporated Johnston County, unless it is livestock or poultry kept consistent with the property's zoning. Owners get ten working days to fix a repeat complaint before the Sheriff's Office issues a citation.
Johnston County Barking Dog Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 12-32(d)(4), (e)
(4) The keeping of any animal, except livestock and poultry maintained and kept consistent with the zoning applicable to the property where kept, which by causing frequent or long continued noise on a regular basis, shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person of reasonable and ordinary firmness and sensibilities in the vicinity or which may otherwise be an unreasonably loud or disturbi...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Playing a radio, TV, record player, musical instrument or any sound-amplifying device loudly enough to disturb neighbors is unlawful in unincorporated Johnston County, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Section 12-32(d)(3) targets sound reaching dwellings, motels or hotels; the Sheriff's Office enforces it as a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines rising per offense.
Johnston County Amplified Sound Curfew
Some RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 12-32(d)(3), (e)
(3) The playing of any radio, television set, record player, musical instrument or sound-producing or sound- amplifying device in such manner or with such volume, particularly, but not limited to, the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons of reasonable and ordinary firmness and normal sensibilities in any dwelling, motel, hotel ...
Decibel Limits
Johnston County has no blanket citywide decibel cap; its everyday noise rule bans only "unreasonably loud or disturbing" sound. The one hard numeric standard sits in the special-use permit conditions for sand and gravel extraction and landfill operations in unincorporated Johnston County: 68 dBA by day, 58 dBA at night, measured at the site boundary.
Johnston County Extraction Site Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 14-257(c)(4)b.2
2. Equivalent sound levels at the boundaries of the extraction site shall not exceed the following standards: i. Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., 68dBA. ii. Between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., 58dBA.
Vehicle Noise
Driving an automobile, motorcycle, ATV or any motor vehicle that is out of repair, modified from factory settings, or loaded so it grates, grinds or rattles loudly is a noise violation in unincorporated Johnston County under section 12-32(d)(5). Deputies can cite the operator directly as a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines starting at $50.00.
Johnston County Loud Vehicle Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 12-32(d)(5), (e)
(5) The use of any automobile, motorcycle, ATV or other motor vehicle or vehicle of any kind which may be so out of repair, so modified from factory settings or equipment, and/or so loaded or operated in such manner, as to create loud grating, grinding, rattling or other noise caused by or emanating from such vehicle or its operation or which otherwise shall be, create or cause an unreasonabl...
All Johnston County ordinances
See every category we cover for Johnston County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Johnston County Ordinance Hub →