Outdoor amplified or live music is governed by Forsyth County Sec. 15-1's reasonable-person standard, tightened at 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Winston-Salem exempts permitted outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting events, and applies a 300-foot rule inside entertainment districts.
For backyards and general outdoor events, county Sec. 15-1(b)(5) controls: amplified or instrumental music that disturbs a reasonable resident in a nearby dwelling is prohibited, with special weight given to 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Winston-Salem Sec. 46-6(f) exempts permitted outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting events from the residential-sounds rule (except the GMA-1 recycling limit). School and playground activities are also exempt (Sec. 46-6(e)). Within a designated entertainment district, live or recorded music is measured under the 300-foot plainly-audible presumption of Sec. 46-7. Larger events should confirm any required permit with the city.
Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, fine up to $500; permitted events are exempt from the residential-sounds rule.
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