Guilford County, NC Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Guilford County, NC, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- County rule
- Disturbance standard, Sec. 11-8
- Amplified-sound night hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Audibility presumption
- 30 feet past property line
- First-offense penalty
- $200 civil
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
In unincorporated Guilford County, NC, noise ordinance Sec. 11-8 bans unreasonably loud, disturbing, annoying or unnecessary noise at any hour. It singles out 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for amplified sound, when music audible 30 feet past your property line is presumed illegal.
The playing of any radio, television set, record player, stereo or other sound reproduction system... particularly but not limited to the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as to be an unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing or unnecessary manner as defined above.
Full Breakdown
Guilford County Code Sec. 11-8 uses a disturbance standard rather than a blanket clock-hour curfew: any unreasonably loud, disturbing, annoying or unnecessary noise in the unincorporated county is unlawful. It creates a special nighttime window of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for radios, stereos and sound systems at a dwelling, hotel or motel, and presumes a violation if the sound is audible 30 feet or more from the property line. In deciding what is unreasonable, officers weigh time of day, proximity to homes, volume, and zoning. The ordinance applies only to unincorporated areas; Greensboro and High Point have their own city noise codes.
Violations & Fines
Sheriff or county designee may warn, then issue civil penalties of $200, $400, and $500 for repeat violations within a year; also a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Guilford County have set quiet hours?
Do these rules cover Greensboro or High Point?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Guilford County
How Guilford County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Guilford County to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.