Noise Ordinances in Sampson County, NC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Sampson County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Construction work in unincorporated Sampson County is exempt from the noise ordinance only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends, under Sampson County Code § 4-6-03(2). Outside those hours, construction noise falls back under the general nuisance prohibition.
Sampson County Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-03(2)
(2) Construction operations from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends for which building permits have been issued or are not required, providing all equipment is operated in accord with the manufacturer’s specifications and with all standard equipment, manufacturer’s mufflers, and noise-reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition. “Constructi...
Barking Dogs
Unincorporated Sampson County bars keeping any pet, other than farm livestock, that habitually howls, yelps or barks enough to disturb a residential area, under Sampson County Code § 4-6-02(5). A residential area is defined broadly as any neighborhood where two or more households sit within hearing distance of each other.
Sampson County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-02(5)
(5) Possessing any animal (other than cattle, poultry, horses, sheep, or other similar farm animal) which, by habitual howling, yelping, barking, or other natural sound, creates a disturbing noise in a residential area. A “residential area” shall mean any neighborhood, subdivision, housing development, mobile home park, or any other area, whether on one or more streets or roads and whether inte...
Leaf Blower Rules
Lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other landscape maintenance equipment in unincorporated Sampson County may run only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., under Sampson County Code § 4-6-03(8). The exemption also requires the equipment's standard mufflers and noise-reducing gear to be in use and working properly.
Sampson County Leaf Blower and Mower Hours
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-03(8)
(8) Lawn mowers, power equipment, and landscape maintenance equipment used between the daylight hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. when operated with all the manufacturer’s standard mufflers and noise reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Unincorporated Sampson County bans operating a TV, radio, stereo or any sound-amplifying equipment loud enough to disturb a reasonable person's peace under Sampson County Code § 4-6-02(3). There is no decibel meter test; the standard is whether the volume annoys or disturbs people of ordinary sensibilities in the vicinity.
Sampson County Amplified Sound Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-02(3)
Subject to the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful to willfully make, continue, or cause to be made or continue any loud, raucous, and disturbing noise, and it shall be unlawful for a person who owns or is in apparent control of real property to knowingly permit the same to occur or exist thereon. The term loud, raucous, and disturbing noise shall mean any sound which, because of...
Aircraft Noise
Unincorporated Sampson County's noise ordinance exempts all noise from the normal operation of properly equipped aircraft, under Sampson County Code § 4-6-03(6). The exemption does not cover scale model aircraft, so a hobbyist drone or model plane can still be cited under the general nuisance prohibition.
Sampson County Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-03(6)
(6) All noises coming from the normal operations of properly equipped aircraft (not including scale model aircraft).
Vehicle Noise
Unincorporated Sampson County bars sounding a vehicle horn for anything but a danger signal and bars driving with faulty or missing mufflers loud enough to disturb neighbors, under Sampson County Code § 4-6-02(2) and (4). Both rules use the same nuisance standard: sound that annoys a reasonable person nearby.
Sampson County Vehicle Horn and Muffler Rule
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code § 4-6-02(2) and (4)
(2) Sounding any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle, except as a danger signal, so as to create any unreasonably loud or harsh sound and the sounding of such device for any unreasonable period of time. ... (4) Operating a motor vehicle so out of repair or so loaded, with inadequate mufflers, or in such manner that it creates a noise sufficient to annoy or...
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