Wake County Code §92.05(B), (C), (F) prohibits vehicle exhaust noise from out-of-repair or modified vehicles, gong/siren on non-emergency vehicles, and any internal combustion exhaust without effective muffler. NCGS §20-128 also requires muffler compliance statewide.
Wake County's noise ordinance specifically targets vehicle-related noise: §92.05(B) bans use of any vehicle so out of repair, loaded, modified, or driven so as to create unreasonably loud grating, grinding, or rattling noise plainly audible to a reasonable person. §92.05(C) prohibits gongs or sirens on non-emergency vehicles. §92.05(F) bans discharging exhaust from steam engines, stationary internal combustion engines, motor vehicles, or motorboats except through a muffler. NCGS §20-128 makes muffler defects a state-level infraction. Both county and state laws apply; Wake County Sheriff and NC Highway Patrol enforce.
County violation: Class 3 misdemeanor under §92.07(D), up to $500/day. State NCGS §20-128 infraction: typically $25-50 fine plus equipment violation on driving record.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decor. UDO setback rules in Section 1.5.5 apply to permanent str...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. General noise rules under Raleigh Code Chapter 12 and right-of-way rules under Code...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. There is no display-window restriction, brightness cap, or duration limit. UDO outdoor l...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh requires building, gas, electrical, and plumbing trade permits for built-in outdoor kitchens with utility connections under the NC State Building Cod...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential wood-fired smokers or pizza ovens. Smoke nuisance complaints fall under Raleigh Code Sectio...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under the North Carolina F...
See how Raleigh's vehicle noise rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.