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Apex, NC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing standard
Unreasonably loud sound prohibited (Town Code § 14-31)
Industrial exemption
LI and TF zones exempt from overnight curfew
Curfew hours
11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., townwide
Railroad noise
Governed by federal standard, 42 U.S.C. § 4916
Penalty
Misdemeanor plus civil fines up to $500/day

Summary

Apex bans emission of unreasonably loud sound from any source under Town Code § 14-31, but exempts light-industrial and tech/flex zoned facilities from the nighttime garbage-collection and delivery-noise curfew in § 14-33(a)(15)-(16).

The collection of garbage, recyclables and yard waste between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This prohibition shall not apply to industrial facilities located in industrial zoning districts including LI (light industrial) and TF (tech/flex) as defined by the unified development ordinance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).

Full Breakdown

Apex's general noise ordinance, Town Code § 14-31, makes it unlawful for any person, including a business or industrial operator, to cause plainly audible sound that is unreasonably loud, factoring in proximity to noise-sensitive areas, zoning, and time of day. Separately, § 14-33(a)(15) and (16) bar overnight garbage collection and commercial deliveries townwide between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., but exempt facilities in the LI (light industrial) and TF (tech/flex) zoning districts from that curfew. Railroad right-of-way noise is instead governed by the federal standard under 42 U.S.C. § 4916, which § 14-31(c) treats as identical to the town's limit. Violations are a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4.

Violations & Fines

Causing unreasonably loud noise, or running overnight garbage/delivery operations outside the LI or TF exemption, is a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4 and can draw a civil penalty up to $500 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Apex have a separate industrial noise ordinance?
No: industrial sites follow the same general 'unreasonably loud' standard in Town Code § 14-31, but LI and TF zoned facilities are exempt from the townwide overnight garbage-collection and delivery curfew in § 14-33(a)(15)-(16).
What hours does Apex restrict industrial noise like deliveries and trash pickup?
Townwide, garbage collection and commercial deliveries are barred from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. under § 14-33(a)(15)-(16), except at facilities zoned LI (light industrial) or TF (tech/flex).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Apex

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsSome Restrictions

All Apex rules

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