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

Lee County Code § 12-34(1) enumerates specific sounds the Noise Control Ordinance treats as unreasonably loud and unlawful, including playing a radio, television set, musical instrument, tape recorder, cassette player, compact disc player or similar device on public property or inside a motor vehicle on a public street, highway or parking lot, whenever the sound is audible at a distance of 30 feet from the device. The Sheriff of Lee County has primary enforcement responsibility under § 12-37, and § 12-38 requires a warning before any citation issues; a violator who does not bring conduct into compliance after the warning faces escalating civil penalties of $200.00 for a first violation, $400.00 for a second within 12 months, and $500.00 for any subsequent violation, with each day a separate offense.

Violating § 12-34 can alternatively be charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200.00 for a first offense, rising to $500.00 for a third or later conviction, plus up to 30 days imprisonment. Exceptions in § 12-35 exclude emergency vehicles, government service vehicles like solid waste trucks, and sound from public rights-of-way outside the vehicle-noise rule itself from the prohibition.