Nash County, NC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Continuous noise limit
- 55 decibels, slow meter response
- Impact noise limit
- 60 decibels, fast meter response
- Quiet hours
- 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., every day
- Quiet holidays
- Sundays, Christmas, Thanksgiving
- Scope
- junkyard/salvage operations only
- Enforcement
- office of county planning
Summary
Nash County's only numeric decibel standard applies to junkyards and salvage operations under Nash County Code Sec. 8-120(3): a maximum of 55 decibels continuous and 60 decibels impact noise, measured in any adjacent residential district, with noisy processing barred entirely on Sundays, Christmas, Thanksgiving and between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The general county noise article has no equivalent numeric ceiling for other sources.
The following table describes the maximum sound pressure level permitted from any junkyard and measured in any adjacent residential district: Maximum Permitted Sound Levels (Decibels) Continuous Slow Meter Responses Impact Fast Meter Responses 55 60 ... No noisy processing shall be carried on in connection with the business on Sundays, Christmas, Thanksgiving or at any time between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 8-120 sets performance standards for motor vehicle salvage, processing and junk storage yards operating under Chapter 8, Article IV. Subsection (3) requires noise to be measured with a sound level meter, using the meter's slow response for continuous noise and its fast response for impact noise such as a punch press or drop forge hammer, and the printed table caps continuous sound at 55 decibels and impact sound at 60 decibels as measured in any adjacent residential district. m. A junkyard operating in an unzoned area or an area not appropriately zoned must first obtain a permit from the county through the office of county planning (Sec.
8-121, 8-122), and appeals from a planning office decision go to the board of adjustment and then to the courts (Sec. 8-123). By contrast, the general noise article at Chapter 16 (Sec. 16-50 through 16-54) regulates 'loud and raucous noise' by a subjective annoyance standard rather than a decibel number, so the Sec. 8-120 table is the only place in the code where the county fixes a numeric sound-pressure ceiling.
Violations & Fines
Operating a junkyard that exceeds the 55/60-decibel ceiling, runs noisy processing during the prohibited hours or holidays, or otherwise fails to comply with the performance standards is enforced through the office of county planning with assistance from the county health department and state and federal agencies (Sec. 8-122). Any violation of the article, including the noise standard, is a misdemeanor punishable under Sec. 1-7 (Sec. 8-119), and the required annual junkyard permit can be denied on renewal for noncompliance (Sec. 8-121(b)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nash County have a numeric decibel limit?
When must a Nash County junkyard shut down noisy processing?
Who enforces the junkyard noise standard in Nash County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nash County
Compare Nash County to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
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