The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but such enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
(A) The sounding of any horn or signal device or any device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle while not in motion, except as a danger signal if another vehicle is approaching apparently out of control or if in motion only as a danger signal after or as brakes are being applied and deceleration of the vehicle is intended; the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound, and the sounding of such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time;
(B) The use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle other than a police, fire or other emergency vehicle;
(C) The use or operation of any piano, whether manual or automatic, phonograph, radio, loudspeaker or any other instrument or sound-amplifying device so loudly as to disturb persons in the vicinity thereof or in such a manner as renders the same a public nuisance; provided, however, that upon application to the Mayor, permits may be granted to responsible organizations to produce programs in music, speeches or general entertainment;
(D) The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent or long-continued noise disturbs the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity;
(E) The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise;
(F) The blowing of steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of danger;
(G) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom;
(H) The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled and reduced;
(I) The erection, including excavation, demolition, alteration or repair of any building in a residential or business district other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, except in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety and then only with a permit from the City Clerk which may be renewed for a period of three days or less while the emergency continues;
(J) The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, institution of learning or court while the same are in session or within 150 feet of any hospital which unreasonably interferes with the working of such institution, provided that conspicuous signs are displayed in such streets indicating that it is a school, court or hospital street;
(K) The creation of any excessive noise on Sundays on any street adjacent to any church, provided that conspicuous signs are displayed in such street adjacent to churches indicating that it is a church street;
(L) The creation of loud and excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers;
(M) The shouting and crying of peddlers, barkers, hawkers and vendors which disturb the quiet and peace of the neighborhood;
(N) The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of noise to any performance, show, sale or display of merchandise;
(O) The use of any mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving vehicles for advertising purposes or other purposes except where specific license is received from the City Council;
(P) The conducting, operating or maintaining of any garage or filling station in any residential district so as to cause loud or offensive noise to be emitted therefrom between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
(Q) The firing or discharging of fireworks, squibs, crackers, gunpowder or other combustible substances in the streets or elsewhere for the purpose of making noise or disturbance except by permit from the City Council.
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate noise, see G.S. § 160A-184