Forsyth County, NC Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Type/decibel ban
- None specific to blowers
- Prohibited hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Applies within
- 300 feet of a residence
- Citation
- Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5(a)(3)
- Penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500
Summary
Forsyth County and Winston-Salem set no leaf-blower-specific decibel or model ban. Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5 does make it unlawful to run lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered domestic tools outdoors near residences between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; leaf blowers fall in that category.
The operation of lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
No Forsyth County or Winston-Salem ordinance restricts leaf blowers by type, decibel rating or specific hours the way some cities do. The governing limit is Winston-Salem Code Sec. 46-5(a)(3), which bars operating lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered domestic tools out-of-doors between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in any residentially zoned area or within 300 feet of a residence. A gas leaf blower is such a domestic tool. Outside those hours, blower use is judged under the general reasonable-person disturbance standard of county Sec. 15-1. Daytime routine yard maintenance is generally allowed.
Violations & Fines
Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, fine up to $500 for after-hours operation under Sec. 46-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gas leaf blowers banned?
Can I use a blower early in the morning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
How Forsyth County compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
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