Gastonia, NC Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

City Code Sec. 5-4(a)(3) prohibits the "operation of lawn mowers or other power-operated domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m." in any residentially zoned area of the city or within 300 feet of any dwelling in any zoning district. Gas and electric leaf blowers fall within "other power-operated domestic tools," the code's catch-all for yard equipment beyond mowers. Unlike some cities, Gastonia's code sets no daytime decibel limit or blower-specific hour window narrower than the general 11:00 p.m.-to-7:00 a.m. residential curfew that also governs garage machinery and construction equipment under the same section. The rule is enforced by the Gastonia Police Department off a resident complaint investigated under Sec. 5-7, or by direct observation.