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Winston-Salem, NC Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Curfew: 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
Coverage: within 300 ft of a residence
Penalty: fine up to $500.00
Charge: class 3 misdemeanor (G.S. 14-4)
Exemption: not audible from neighbors

Summary

Winston-Salem bars gasoline-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other gas-powered yard tools outdoors between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in residential zones or within 300 feet of any residence citywide.

It shall be unlawful to carry on the following activities in any residentially zoned area of the city or within 300 feet of any residence in the city:...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.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

Winston-Salem's noise code lists gasoline-powered domestic tools, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers and similar outdoor yard equipment, among nighttime activities deemed unreasonably loud. Running them outdoors between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is unlawful in any residentially zoned area of the city or within 300 feet of any residence, whatever the underlying zoning. The curfew doesn't apply to equipment run quietly enough that it isn't plainly audible from the neighboring premises or residence, or to emergency operations protecting public health and safety. A violation is a class 3 misdemeanor under state law (G.S. 14-4), punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.

Violations & Fines

Violating the 10 p.m.–6 a.m. yard-tool curfew is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per occurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a leaf blower at night in Winston-Salem?

No. Operating gasoline-powered yard tools like leaf blowers or mowers outdoors between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is unlawful in residential zones or within 300 feet of any residence under City Code § 46-5(a)(3).

Does the curfew apply outside residentially zoned land?

Yes. It reaches any location within 300 feet of a residence, so mixed-use or commercial parcels near homes are covered too, not just residentially zoned districts.

What happens if I violate the nighttime yard-tool rule?

It's a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, carrying a fine of up to $500.00, per City Code § 46-5(e).

Sources & Official References

[1]Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 46-5

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All Winston-Salem rules

How Winston-Salem compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview

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