Noise Ordinances in Union County, NC (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Union County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Union County exempts construction noise from its nuisance-noise ordinance only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends, and only if equipment carries the manufacturer's standard mufflers. Work outside those windows loses the exemption.
Union County, NC Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 26-21(8)
Noise resulting from construction operations from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends for which building permits have been issued or for which building permits are not required; provided that all equipment is in proper operating condition and properly equipped with the manufacturers' mufflers and noise-reducing equipment.
Barking Dogs
Union County treats a dog that barks, whines or howls "in an excessive or continuous fashion" so as to seriously annoy or interfere with a neighbor's enjoyment of their property as a public nuisance under Sec. 6-76(b)(5), giving the owner 24 hours to abate it once notified.
Union County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-76(b)(5)
(a)The actions of an animal constitute a public nuisance when that animal disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or damages a member of the general public or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of their property.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in such a manner so as to constitute a public nuisance...(5)Allowing or permittin...
Leaf Blower Rules
Unincorporated Union County only exempts leaf blowers and other landscape maintenance equipment from its noise ordinance between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., every day of the week, and only if the equipment carries its manufacturer's standard mufflers. Run a gas blower outside that window and it can be cited as unreasonably loud noise, a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Union County Leaf Blower Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 26-21(9)
Noise from lawn mowers and other landscape maintenance equipment used between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided that all equipment is in proper operating condition and properly equipped with the manufacturers' mufflers and noise-reducing equipment.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Union County bans any radio, stereo, CD player or other sound amplification device, whether operated by a pedestrian or from a vehicle, that is audible 50 feet or more from its source. The rule sits inside the county's broader unreasonably-loud-noise nuisance ordinance for unincorporated Union County.
Union County, NC Amplified Sound Limits
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 26-20(2)
Radios, stereos, and sound reproduction. The playing, use, or operation, either from a motor vehicle or by a pedestrian, of any radio, tape or CD player, or other sound amplification device emitting sound that is audible from a distance of 50 or more feet from the source of the sound.
Aircraft Noise
Unincorporated Union County's noise ordinance doesn't touch aircraft. Section 26-21(12) exempts 'noise created by any aircraft flight operations' from the county's nuisance-noise rules because that field is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration, so residents near Charlotte-area flight paths have no local ordinance to complain under.
Union County Aircraft Noise FAA Preemption
Few RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 26-21(12)
Noise created by any aircraft flight operations which are specifically preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Decibel Limits
In unincorporated Union County, an outdoor entertainment or spectator-sports use sited less than 200 feet (minor) or 500 feet (major) from a residential-zoned lot must keep amplified audio under 65 decibels at the nearest residential property line, one of the two ways the Unified Development Ordinance lets it satisfy the required buffer.
Union County Outdoor Entertainment Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsUnion County Unified Development Ordinance § 30.080 (Entertainment and Spectator Sports)
Proposed minor outdoor entertainment and spectator sports uses proposed to be located in R districts must meet one of the following conditions: a. Be separated by a distance of at least 200 feet from any other R zoned lot or; b. Demonstrate that if a distance of less than 200 feet exists to the nearest R zoned lot, the following can be met at the proposed location: i. Amplified audio levels wil...
Vehicle Noise
Union County bars sounding a car horn, whistle or signal device "so as to create any unreasonable, loud or harsh sound" or for an unreasonable length of time, unless it is a danger signal or required by law. Vehicles must also keep manufacturer-standard mufflers to stay outside the noise ordinance.
Union County, NC Vehicle Horn Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 26-20(1)
Horns and signal devices. The sounding of any horn, whistle or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except as a danger signal or as required by law, so as to create any unreasonable, loud or harsh sound, or the sounding of such device for an unreasonable period of time.
All Union County ordinances
See every category we cover for Union County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Union County Ordinance Hub →