North Carolina Industrial Noise and Right-to-Farm Protections

Under N.C.G.S. 106-701, agricultural and forestry operations existing for more than one year are protected from nuisance lawsuits, including noise complaints, unless operations have substantially changed. N.C.G.S. 160D-907 protects bona fide farms from county zoning regulation entirely. Industrial noise from permitted facilities falls under NC Department of Environmental Quality oversight, with state air quality permits sometimes preempting local noise ordinances for permitted equipment.

Lawsuits filed in violation of right-to-farm protections may be dismissed with the plaintiff liable for the operator's attorney fees under N.C.G.S. 106-702.