What is the penalty for violating Charlotte’s noise ordinance? Here’s what to know
As Charlotte grows, so does the potential for noisy neighbors.
A Charlotte resident recently expressed frustration about their experience with loud neighbors and boisterous street racers on a Reddit thread.
“I am so stressed by all the people talking and bumping music and racing all night long,” the user wrote. “Around exit 26, at 12 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m., it’s just zoom, zoom, zoom, ten seconds at a time, over and over.”
The author of the post, which received 185 responses, wanted to know what could be done “about the racing cars at 2 am?”
In 2019, the Charlotte City Council passed a new noise ordinance in response to disruptive behavior from abortion protesters at an east Charlotte abortion clinic, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Charlotte’s noise ordinance is enforced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Housing and the City of Charlotte’s Code Enforcement Division.
According to the City of Charlotte website, “a noise violation occurs when sound exceeds specified limits – with consideration of location, time and circumstance – and is disruptive to the enjoyment and use of a residential property.”
What does Charlotte’s noise ordinance say?
Noise cannot exceed set decibel levels during certain times, according to Charlotte’s noise ordinance.
“The decibel is a unit of measurement for sound levels,” according to the City of Charlotte. “The dB(C) sound scale measures high and low frequencies typically heard at entertainment venues.”
According to the noise ordinance, acceptable noise levels are:
Sunday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. at 85 decibels and 9 p.m.-2 a.m. (the following day) at 60 decibels
Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. at 85 decibels and 11 p.m.-2 a.m. (the following day) at 60 decibels
The noise ordinance also prohibits the operation of motor vehicles within the city limits:
With noise-control equipment like mufflers removed
Engaging in jackrabbit starts, spinning tires or other operations that create disturbing noises
Off the boundaries of a public street for racing
What is the penalty for violating the noise ordinance?
A $100 fine can be issued after the first noise ordinance violation, according to the city. Fines of $500 and $1,000 can be issued for the second and third violations, respectively.
Property owners who frequently violate the noise ordinance could be labeled as “chronic noise producers,” and be required to develop a noise mitigation plan, according to the city. Noise mitigation plans may include:
Restrictions on days of the week or hours of noise-producing activity
Placement, orientation and operation of noise-producing equipment
Structural changes to address noise nuisance
Self-monitoring and reporting requirements
A schedule for implementation, review and possible termination of the plan
Chronic noise producers who fail to adhere to noise mitigation plans could face $1,000 in fines, court action and suspension of outdoor music at their property for up to 18 months, according to the city.
How to report a noise violation in Charlotte
Noise violations can be reported by calling 311 or 704-336-7600 at any time, or 911 if a noise violation is creating a nuisance at the time of the call.
Officers who respond to noise-related calls test the level of sound at a property by using a sound level meter, according to CMPD.
This story was originally published November 3, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
