Amplified music rules in Durham County, NC — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
In Durham it is unlawful to produce mechanically or electronically amplified sound that exceeds the code's dB(A) limits when measured beyond your property boundary, unless authorized by a permit. The caps are 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) at night.
Sec. 26-23(d)(1) prohibits any person from causing amplified sound that exceeds the subsection (d) levels 'as such sound is measured at any point beyond the boundary of the property from which the sound emanates' and is not authorized by a permit or otherwise exempted. Those levels are 60 dB(A) during the day/evening (after 8 a.m., before 11 p.m.) and 50 dB(A) at night (11 p.m.–8 a.m.). Separately, Sec. 26-23(b)(2) treats loud radios, phonographs, or instruments — especially 11 p.m.–7 a.m. — as prohibited disturbances. Permitted events (parades, festivals) are exempt within their permit limits.
Unpermitted amplified sound over the limits is a Class 3 misdemeanor (max $50, Sec. 1-9); police may measure with an ANSI 'A'-weighted sound meter and cite the responsible party.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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