Raleigh, NC Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)

§ 12-5007(i) makes 'the creation of plainly audible unreasonable noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicles, equipment, or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers' a specifically enumerated prohibited noise. Unlike the nighttime-only stereo rule in subsection (c), this clause carries no time-of-day limitation on its face, it applies whenever the noise from loading or unloading is plainly audible and unreasonable under the general standard set in § 12-5003, which looks at proximity to sleeping areas, the zoning of the area, time of day, duration, and whether the sound is recurrent or constant.

That means a delivery truck banging pallets or a warehouse dropping crates during business hours can still violate the section if the noise is unreasonably loud or disruptive given those factors, while routine, brief loading noise handled in accordance with usual business practice generally will not. The prohibition sits inside Chapter 5's enumerated list, which the Code says 'shall not be deemed to be exclusive', meaning loading noise not literally matching this wording can still be pursued under the general § 12-5003 prohibition. Enforcement follows the same path as every other Chapter 5 violation: a misdemeanor under § 12-5011(c) punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine, alongside a civil penalty of $250 for a first violation and $500 for any repeat within 12 months. The Police Department issues the civil citations, and a person cited must immediately reduce the noise under § 12-5010 or face a follow-up directive.