Burke County, NC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Burke County Code § 26-284(1) and (4), part of the noise division's illustrative-enumeration section, addresses two categories of vehicle noise. Subsection (1) bars sounding any horn or similar signaling device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle on a street or public place except as a danger warning, along with creating any unreasonably loud or harsh sound through such a device, sounding a horn for any unnecessary or unreasonable period of time, using any device operated by engine exhaust as a horn or signal, and sounding a signaling device when traffic is held up for any reason.

Subsection (4) separately bars operating any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, so modified, or loaded or operated in such a manner as to create unreasonably loud sounds, which covers modified exhausts, engine-brake noise, and similarly disruptive vehicle conditions. m. Neighboring subsection (5) also bars a garage or service station in a residential area from causing unreasonably loud sounds during that same nighttime window. S. 14-4 with up to a $500 fine or 30 days, plus a separate $500 civil penalty due within 72 hours of citation and $100 per day for up to 15 additional days if unresolved.