Greensboro commercial zones allow 75 dB(C). Industrial sound impacting residential areas must not exceed 70/65 dB(C) day/night at the receiving residential property line.
Greensboro Code of Ordinances Chapter 18 regulates industrial and commercial noise using the same decibel framework as residential noise. Commercial and industrial zones are permitted up to 75 dB(C) at their own property boundaries. However, when sound from an industrial or commercial source impacts a residential dwelling, the residential decibel limits apply: 70 dB(C) daytime (7 AM-11 PM) and 65 dB(C) nighttime (11 PM-7 AM) measured at the residential property line. Greensboro has a textile and manufacturing heritage with ongoing industrial operations, and noise from HVAC systems, loading docks, generators, and manufacturing equipment is subject to these limits. Acoustic consultants have noted that Greensboro specifies the same limits day and night, which can be challenging for industrial operations near residential boundaries. N.C.G.S. 160A-184 authorizes municipal regulation. Complaints are handled by Code Compliance or Greensboro 311 at 336-373-2489.
Exceeding limits at a residential property line is a misdemeanor. Fines set by the court. Repeat violations may trigger injunctive relief.
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