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

Section 24-22(b)(9)a of the Craven County noise article bars operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat that causes a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, within a noise-sensitive zone, or on a public right-of-way, public space or public waterway as a result of a defective or modified exhaust system, unreasonably rapid acceleration, deceleration, engine revving or tire squealing, or overloading or ill-repair that causes excessive grating, grinding, rattling or other noise. 'Modified exhaust system' is defined in Section 24-20 as one whose original noise abatement devices have been altered, removed, or made less effective, or to which devices have been added that increase noise.

Subsection (b)(9)b separately bars repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat in a manner that creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone; this rule applies at any hour, unlike the fixed-clock provisions elsewhere in the article. The Sheriff or a deputy may stop any motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat on a public right-of-way, public space or public waterway reasonably suspected of violating the article and test and inspect it on-site under Section 24-21(a)(2). § 14-4, added to the general penalty in Sections 1-11 and 1-12 of the Code of Ordinances.