New Hanover County, NC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Nonresidential daytime limit
- 75 decibels combined with ambient noise
- Residential daytime limit
- 65 decibels combined with ambient noise
- Nighttime reduction
- 70 dB / 50 dB, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Governing section
- New Hanover County Code § 23-33
- First-offense penalty
- $100 civil citation under § 23-40
- Measurement method
- A-weighted sound level meter, § 23-32
Summary
New Hanover County caps ambient-combined sound at 75 decibels in nonresidential zones and 65 decibels in residential zones under Code of Ordinances Sec. 23-33. Both caps drop between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., to 70 decibels nonresidentially and 50 decibels residentially, with readings taken on an A-weighted sound level meter under Sec. 23-32.
(a)Nonresidentially zoned districts. For nonresidentially zoned districts, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or create any sound which, when combined with the ambient noise, exceeds 75 decibels re 0.0002 microbars on the "A" weighing scale. If the ambient noise level exceeds 75 decibels re 0.0002 microbars on the "A" weighing scale, a violation of this article shall occur only when such sound exceeds the ambient noise level by three decibels. Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the above sound level shall be reduced to 70 decibels.(b)Residentially zoned districts. For residentially zoned districts, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or create any sound which, when combined with the ambient noise, exceeds 65 decibels re 0.0002 microbars on the "A" weighing scale. If the ambient noise level exceeds 65 decibels re 0.0002 microbars on the "A" weighing scale, a violation of this article shall occur only when such sound exceeds the ambient noise level by three decibels. Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the above sound level shall be reduced to 50 decibels.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 15 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Article II of Chapter 23 sets the county's objective noise ceiling for unincorporated New Hanover County. Sec. 23-33(a) makes it unlawful in nonresidentially zoned districts to create a sound that, combined with ambient noise, exceeds 75 decibels on the A-weighing scale; if ambient noise itself already exceeds 75 decibels, a violation occurs only when the new sound tops the ambient level by three decibels. Sec. 23-33(b) sets the residential ceiling at 65 decibels under the same three-decibel-over-ambient rule. , the nonresidential ceiling drops to 70 decibels and the residential ceiling drops to 50 decibels.
Sec. 23-32 defines how the county proves a violation: readings are taken on an A-weighted sound level meter calibrated within one hour of use, with the microphone set at roughly 70 degrees, at least four feet above ground and about ten feet from walls or obstructions, at the nearest corner of the complaining structure (or the adjoining right-of-way if that is impractical). No one but the meter operator may stand within ten feet of it during a reading, and interfering with a measurement is itself a separate offense.
Sec. 23-36 exempts emergency operations protecting public health and safety and aircraft operations at the county airport. The standard applies only inside the unincorporated county; Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach enforce their own municipal noise codes.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 23-40 makes a first offense a civil citation carrying a $100 penalty, $300 for a second offense and $500 for a third or later offense, collectible as civil debt if unpaid within 20 days; each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. Sec. 23-40(b) also allows criminal prosecution as a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decibel level is illegal in unincorporated New Hanover County?
Do the decibel limits change at night?
How does the county measure noise for a citation?
Does this decibel limit apply inside Wilmington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Hanover County
Compare New Hanover County to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
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