Quiet hours in Forsyth County, NC — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Forsyth County's "Loud and disturbing noise" ordinance singles out the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when playing a radio, instrument or amplifier that disturbs a reasonable resident in any nearby dwelling is prohibited. Winston-Salem adopts the county ordinance citywide.
Forsyth County Code Sec. 15-1 bars sounds that "disturb or frighten individuals" at any time, but flags 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. for amplified music and instruments near residences. Enforcement uses a reasonable-person, plainly-audible standard rather than a strict decibel meter. Inside Winston-Salem, Code Sec. 46-2 incorporates the county ordinance by reference so the same quiet-hours rule applies within the city. Winston-Salem Sec. 46-5 adds a separate nighttime window (10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.) barring loud domestic tools, garage machinery and refuse loaders near homes. Exemptions cover emergencies, farm operations and permitted county festivals.
Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, fine up to $500; the county may also recover a civil penalty as a debt if unpaid.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Forsyth County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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