In addition to the general prohibition set forth above, the following activities are recognized as tending to produce unreasonably loud and raucous noises and as tending to constitute noise disturbances when conducted or permitted in an unreasonable manner. No person shall engage in any of the enumerated activities so as to cause a noise disturbance on neighboring premises.
(1) Operation of radios, televisions, or other personal sound reproduction devices in such a manner as to be plainly audible by persons other than those for whose use the device is being operated, including the operation of automobile sound systems in such a manner as to be plainly audible by pedestrians or the occupants of other vehicles;
(2) Playing of any amplified or nonamplified musical instrument;
(3) Keeping of any animal or bird that frequently or for long periods of time makes noises that tend to annoy or disturb others;
(4) Operation of domestic power tools or mechanical devices;
(5) Repair or testing of any motor vehicle, however fueled or powered;
(6) Operation of any motor vehicle with an improper muffler system in violation of G.S. 20-128(a) and (b), or which is equipped with a muffler designed to emit unreasonably loud noises or vibration;
(7) Operation of any motor vehicle so as to cause the tires to squeal or screech unnecessarily;
(8) Operation of model cars, boats, or airplanes, go carts, mini bikes, scooters or all-terrain vehicles or other unlicensed toy or recreational vehicles or devices powered by an internal combustion engine;
(9) Street vending or peddling;
(10) Sounding of any automobile horn except as a warning or danger signal, or as required by law;
(11) Construction operations, including excavating, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building in a residential or business district, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. The building inspector is authorized to grant exceptions from these time periods through the issuance of a permit in emergency situations, in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety or in situations necessary for health or medical reasons, which permit may be renewed for a period of three (3) days, or less, while the emergency continues. Exceptions from these time periods for the reasons listed above for a period longer than three (3) days requires the approval of the City Council;
(12) The use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle other than police, fire, ambulance or other official emergency vehicle;
(13) The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler, except as a warning of danger;
(14) The operation of machinery in connection with loading or unloading any vehicles or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates, and containers;
(15) 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;
(16) The firing or discharge of firearms, squibs, crackers, gun powder, pyrotechnics or other combustible substances in the streets or elsewhere, except by permit from the police department or as part of an event specifically approved by the City Council;
(17) Yelling, shouting;
(18) Parties;
(19) The sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm for more than fifteen (15) minutes from the time of activation unless there is a real emergency or the use of any such alarm that is not properly repaired or maintained such that false alarms routinely occur.
(20) The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, overloaded or loaded in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, or other noises;
(21) The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air, unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled;
(22) The use of any mechanical loud speakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving vehicles, for advertising or other purposes, except where specific license is given by the Police Department;
(23) For any engineer, fireman or other person to blow the whistle of any locomotive engine within the city, the drivers of passenger trains excepted when blowing necessary signals;
(24) Using any language calculated to annoy the public or to bring on a breach of the peace;
(25) Willfully or wantonly disturbing any public meeting or gathering;
(26) The conducting, operating or maintaining of any garage or filling station in the residential district so as to cause loud or offensive noises to emit therefrom between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
(27) Cursing or swearing on any street or other public place loud enough to be heard by a passerby;
(28) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate within the corporate limits of the city at any time any electric welding torch or device, or any other similar device or implement, the operation of which produces a brilliant and blinding light, unless such torch, device or implement at the time of such operation is enclosed in a building from which such light cannot escape; and
(29) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, operate, carry on or engage in any business within the corporate limits of the city between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the conduct or operation of which produces any loud and disturbing noise or any brilliant and blinding light or lights;
It is further recognized that certain uses, including churches, synagogues and other places of worship, medical and convalescent facilities, funeral homes and mortuaries, schools and courthouses are particularly sensitive to sound and noise. Noise-producing activities, including those specified above, may become noise disturbances when conducted in the immediate vicinity of those uses during their hours of operation.
(Ord. No. O-13-01-15-3, § 2, 1-15-13; Ord. No. O-20-03-17-1, §2, 3-17-20; Ord. No. O-20-04-21-3, §2, 4-21-20)