Greenville, NC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 12-5-9(A) makes it unlawful to drive, operate, move or permit to be driven a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles at any time so that its sound level exceeds Table 3's limits. Table 3 sets three speed/weight brackets: a motor vehicle under 10,000 pounds GVWR is capped at 81 dB(A) at 35 mph or less, 85 dB(A) above 35 mph, and 83 dB(A) stationary; a vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR is capped at 89/94/91 dB(A) for the same three conditions; motorcycles share the under-10,000-pound vehicle's 81/85/83 dB(A) limits; and any other vehicle or towed combination is capped at 76/80/78 dB(A).

Under subsection (B), readings are taken 25 feet from the nearest monitored lane at a height of at least four feet above the surrounding surface. Subsection (C) clarifies the section measures total vehicle noise and does not limit separate muffler or noise-control enforcement elsewhere in the chapter, while subsection (D) excludes traffic, aircraft, other transportation noise, and background noise from the measurement. S. S. 160A-175, punishable by a $100 to $500 criminal fine, plus a separate civil-ticket track: $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second within 365 days, and $500 for a third or later violation within that period.

An unpaid civil penalty draws a $50 delinquency charge for each 72-hour period it goes unpaid, collected by the city's Financial Services Department revenue division, and unless a violator appeals under Part II, Title 1, Chapter 1, Section 20 of the City Code, the city may pursue collections agencies, the state Setoff Debt Collection Act, or civil action to recover unpaid penalties and attorneys' fees.