(A) Subject to the provisions of this section, the creation of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise is prohibited. Noise of the character, intensity and duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual is prohibited.
(B) The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but the enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive, namely:
(1) The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle while not in motion, except as a danger signal, or if in motion only as a signal necessitated by traffic conditions; the creation by means of any signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of the device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time;
(2) The use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle, other than police, fire or other emergency vehicle;
(3) The playing of any radio, phonograph or other musical instrument in a manner or with the volume, particularly during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person;
(4) The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity;
(5) The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in a manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise;
(6) The blowing of any whistle attached to any stationary boiler, except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of danger;
(7) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor vehicle or any engine, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom;
(8) The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled and reduced;
(9) The erection, 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. 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 County Building Inspector, which permit may be renewed for a period of three days or less while the emergency continues;
(10) The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, institution of learning or court while the same is in session, or within 150 feet of any hospital, which unreasonably interferes with the working of the institution, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in the streets indicating that the same is a school, court or hospital street;
(11) The creation 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;
(12) 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;
(13) The sounding of any bell or gong attached to any building or premises which disturb the quiet or repose of persons in the vicinity thereof;
(14) The shouting and crying of peddlers, barkers, hawkers and vendors which disturbs the quiet and peace of the neighborhood;
(15) The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention to any performance, show, sale or display of merchandise;
(16) The use of any mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving vehicles for advertising or other purposes, except where a specific license is received from the Police Department; (Advertising sound trucks may make not more than three continuous round trips in the fire district between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., on condition that the sound devices on the trucks shall be kept silent unless the truck is moving at a speed of not less than 15 miles per hour.)
(17) The conducting, operating or maintaining of any garage or filling station in any residential district so as to cause loud or offensive noises to be emitted therefrom between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
(18) The maintenance and operation of radios, amplifiers, phonographs or other mechanical instruments or devices of any kind whereby the sound therefrom is cast directly upon the streets or other public places; (The provisions hereof are not to apply to Christmas or religious music.)
(19) Playing or permitting to be played any piccolo, juke box or other musical mechanical slot machine between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; and/or
(20) The gathering of ten or more persons for the purpose of rallies, recreation events, speeches, parades or similar gatherings between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., particularly in close proximity to residential neighborhoods, so that the sleep and repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence is likely to be disturbed.
(`86 Code, § 14-9)
(C) Punishment for a violation of this section shall be as set forth in § 1-99, except that the penalty shall be as is set out in the appendix attached hereto and made a part hereof. A copy of the penalty schedule, which may be amended from time to time, shall be kept on record at the office of the City Clerk.
Statutory reference:
Noise regulations authorized, see G.S. § 160A-184