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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Raleigh, North Carolina
Confirm quiet hours, decibel limits, construction schedules, and reporting steps so you can keep the peace in your neighbourhood.
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Default quiet hours: Nighttime is 23:00-07:00. The City uses a reasonable-person standard; plainly audible unreasonable noise is prohibited.
Weekends/holidays: 23:00-07:00 (same as weekdays).
Construction weekdays: 07:00-20:30 (residential and business districts); outside these hours only by permit from the building inspector for work that will not create plainly audible unreasonable noise; emergency work allowed.
Construction weekends: 07:00-20:30 (same as weekdays; permit needed outside these hours).
Raleigh's 2024 overhaul (Ordinance (2024)-586) adopts a reasonable person standard with defined daytime (07:00-23:00) and nighttime (23:00-07:00) periods. Amplified sound plainly audible at 50 ft or more at night (or 300 ft by day) can be a violation. See the ordinance PDF.
Residential quiet hours
Nighttime is 23:00-07:00. The City uses a reasonable-person standard; plainly audible unreasonable noise is prohibited.
Weekends & holidays: 23:00-07:00 (same as weekdays).
Decibel limits
Qualitative limits enforced
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
07:00-20:30 (residential and business districts); outside these hours only by permit from the building inspector for work that will not create plainly audible unreasonable noise; emergency work allowed.
Weekends: 07:00-20:30 (same as weekdays; permit needed outside these hours).
Lawn equipment
No separate citywide schedule; equipment must not create plainly audible unreasonable noise, especially during 23:00-07:00.
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Plainly audible unreasonable noise from sound amplifiers, PA systems, or establishments is prohibited if audible at 50 ft or more at night (23:00-07:00) or 300 ft or more by day; commercial premises also have 150 ft and 300 ft plain-audibility thresholds measured from the property line.
Typical fines
Civil penalty $250 for a first violation; $500 for subsequent violations within 12 months. Criminal misdemeanor up to $500; each day may be a separate offense.
First offense: ~$250 (varies by case)
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via Raleigh Police Department non-emergency line for noise; 911 for emergencies.. Provide dates, times, and source details so dispatchers can prioritise the call. Anonymous complaints are accepted but detailed contact information helps with follow-up.
- Document the issue (record short clips, note times, and track duration for at least two nights if possible).
- Share a polite note with the neighbour or property manager. See the message templates below.
- Submit a complaint via https://raleighnc.gov/housing/services/public-nuisances or call Raleigh Police Department non-emergency line for noise; 911 for emergencies.. Ask for the incident number for reference.
- If the noise continues, follow up with enforcement referencing the incident number. Keep your documentation for any tribunal or landlord board filings.
Ready-to-send messages
Neighbour note
Hi - Raleigh treats plainly audible noise at night (11 p.m.-7 a.m.) as a violation under the new ordinance. Would you mind lowering music or bass during those hours? Thanks so much.
Landlord / property manager
Hello, we are experiencing recurring noise from [unit/address]. Under Raleigh's updated noise code (Part 12, Ch. 5), nighttime (11 p.m.-7 a.m.) plainly audible sound is prohibited and daytime has a 300-ft standard for amplifiers. Could you please remind tenants or contractors? I have a brief log I can share.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: Raleigh City Code Part 12, Chapter 5 - Noise (Ordinance (2024) 586, effective Feb. 3, 2024)
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- For amplified sound, note approximate distance (in feet) and whether it is during nighttime (23:00-07:00) or daytime (07:00-23:00).
- For construction outside 07:00-20:30, ask whether a building-inspector permit was issued; attach photos of site signage if you report it.
- Use the RPD non-emergency line for active disturbances; coordinate with neighbors so multiple households can corroborate.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.