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

Sec. 18-36 of the Rockingham County Code lists specific acts that count as unreasonably loud noise. Paragraphs (b)(4) and (b)(6) deal with vehicles and engines, and both are enforceable countywide on public or private property.

Paragraph (b)(4), titled "Use of vehicles," names the automobile, motorcycle, dirt bike, go-cart, and recreational vehicle, then adds "any other vehicle." Because dirt bikes and go-carts are named, the Rockingham County rule is not limited to street-legal cars on public roads. A vehicle falls under (b)(4) in any of these situations: it is "so out of repair" that it makes the noise, it is "so loaded" that it makes the noise, or it is "operated in such manner" as to make the noise. The noises listed are loud, grating, grinding, rattling, and screeching of tires, followed by "or other noise." A worn-out vehicle, a badly loaded vehicle, and a sound vehicle driven so that its tires screech are all covered by the same Rockingham County paragraph. The paragraph does not ask whether the driver meant to make noise.

Paragraph (b)(6), titled "Exhaust discharge," covers more than cars. It applies to the exhaust of any steam engine, any stationary internal combustion engine, and any motor vehicle. Exhaust may be discharged into the open only "through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom." The test is performance. Having a muffler installed is not enough under Sec. 18-36(b)(6) if it does not effectively prevent loud or explosive noise, and a device other than a muffler is acceptable if it does.

Neither paragraph sets a decibel limit, and neither is limited to certain hours. A violation of Sec. 18-36(b)(4) or (6) can occur at any time of day in Rockingham County.