(A) It shall be unlawful to create or assist in creating any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in the town. Noise of a character, intensity and duration as to be detrimental to the public health, welfare and peace is hereby prohibited.
(B) The following acts, among others, are hereby declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but the enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
(1) The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except as a danger signal, so as to create any unreasonably loud or harsh sound, or the sounding of the device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time, or the use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle, other than police, fire or other emergency vehicle;
(2) Unless permitted by an amplified permit issued by the town, the use of any electronic devices which project sound that is clearly audible at a distance of not less than 30 feet.
(3) The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long continuous noise, shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity;
(4) The use of any bicycle, skateboard or similar vehicle which creates an unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing or frightening noises. The use of any motor vehicle, motorcycle or other vehicle (a) equipped with special or custom muffler, exhaust or other noise control equipment/system; or (b) not equipped with normal, factory issue muffler, exhaust or other noise control equipment/system in good repair; or (c) in jackrabbit starts, spinning tires, racing engines, or other operations so as to create unreasonably loud, annoying, disturbing or frightening noises.
(5) The blasting of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler or engine, except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of danger;
(6) The sounding of any bell, gong or any type horn or siren, attached to any building or premises which disturbs the quiet or repose of persons in the vicinity thereof;
(7) The conducting, operating or maintaining of any garage or service station in any residential area so as to cause loud or offensive noises to be emitted therefrom between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays or on Sundays;
(8) The erection of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school or institution of learning while the same is in session which unreasonably and unnecessarily interferes with the working of the institution, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in the streets indicating that the area is in a school area;
(9) The erection of any excessive noise on Sundays on any street adjacent to any church, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in the streets adjacent to churches indicating that the same is a church street;
(10) 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. Monday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, except in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety and then only with the permit from the Building Inspector, which permit may be renewed for a period of three days or less while the emergency continues;
(11) The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled and reduced;
(12) The shouting and crying of peddlers barkers, hawkers and vendors which disturb the quiet and peace of the neighborhood;
(13) 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 or sale or display of merchandise;
(14) The use of any mechanical loudspeaker or amplifiers on trucks or other moving vehicles for advertising purposes or other purposes except where specific license is received from the city manager; and/or
(15) Shouting, fighting or creating noise through loud or boisterous speech or singing so as to be audible off the premises upon which the activities and noise occur if so loud as to disturb the peace and tranquility of persons occupying residences, motel, hotels, rest homes, nursing homes or hospitals in the vicinity.
(C) This section shall not apply during any period directly after the announcement of any potential, impending disaster.
(Prior Code, § 16-17) (Ord. passed 12-11-1990; Ord. passed 6-10-2014) Penalty, see § 130.99
Statutory reference:
Authority of city to regulate noise, see G.S. § 160A-184