(A) General prohibitions. It shall be unlawful to create, cause, or allow the continuance of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, or frightening noise, which substantially interferes with neighboring businesses and/or residents’ reasonable use and enjoyment of their properties.
(B) Specific prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited when producing unreasonably loud, disturbing, or frightening noise which substantially interferes with neighboring businesses and/or residents’ reasonable use and enjoyment of their properties and shall be considered nuisance acts when exceeding the maximum decibel level as set forth in this section:
(1) Horns and signaling devices. The intentional sounding of any horn or signaling device of a motor vehicle on any street or public place continuously or intermittently, except as a danger or emergency warning;
(2) Motor vehicles. Operating or permitting the operation of any motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, motorcycles, trucks, and automobiles, not equipped with a muffler or other device in good working order so as to effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom;
(3) Exterior loudspeakers. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanical device or loudspeaker, without a permit to do so, in a fixed or moveable position on the exterior of any building or on the ground, in such a manner that the sound therefrom is in excess of the maximum decibel level as described in § 93.06;
(4) Power equipment. Operating or permitting the operation of any power saw, sander, drill, grinder, leaf blower, lawn mower, or other garden equipment, or tools of a similar nature, outdoors during nighttime;
(5) Explosives. The use or firing of explosives, firearms, fireworks, or similar devices which create an explosive sound;
(6) Security alarms. The sounding of a security alarm for more than twenty (20) minutes after being notified by law enforcement personnel of the alarm’s activation; and
(7) Motor vehicle speakers or other speakers located in or on a motor vehicle. Operating or permitting the operation of any speaker or sound in or on a motor vehicle in such a manner as to be plainly audible outside of the vehicle.
(1989 Code, § 11-4.4) (Ord. 02-01, passed 4-8-2002; Ord. 17-O-03, passed 11-27-2017) Penalty, see §
93.99
Statutory reference:
Authority of City to regulate, restrict, or prohibit loud noises, see G.S. § 160A-184