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Raleigh noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Raleigh?

Quiet hours: Nighttime is 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Music, TV or speakers can't disturb a reasonable person in a home during those hours. Construction: only 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in residential and business districts, unless permitted.
Right now: Checking the clock for Raleigh.
Who to call: Raleigh Police non-emergency: 919-829-1911, for noise complaints. The City says Raleigh Police handle all noise complaints. Emergencies: 911.
The law: Raleigh City Code Part 12, Chapter 5 (Noise), §§ 12-5001 to 12-5011. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on October 21, 2026.

Raleigh's noise rules are Chapter 5 of Part 12 of the Raleigh City Code (§§ 12-5001 to 12-5011). The City rewrote the chapter in 2024 and changed the rules for bars and restaurants in October 2025, with those changes taking effect January 1, 2026. The rules for homes don't use decibel limits. They ban "plainly audible" noise that is unreasonable.

Day and night

The code defines daytime as 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and nighttime as 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. (§ 12-5001).

The general rule

Under § 12-5003(a), no one may make or keep making:

Any plainly audible unreasonably loud or raucous noise
Any plainly audible noise that unreasonably disturbs "the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of normal and ordinary sensitivities"
Plainly audible noise so harsh, long or unusual for the time or place that it unreasonably interferes with "the peace and comfort of neighbors or their guests"

The factors include how close the noise is to bedrooms and the zoning of both properties. They also include the time of day or night and how long it lasts. Another is whether it repeats, comes and goes, or never stops (§ 12-5003(b)). Plainly audible means a reasonable person can hear it without help. Words don't need to be clear, and it "includes bass reverberation and rhythmic bass tones" (§ 12-5001).

Music at night

Section 12-5007(c) bans playing a radio, stereo, TV, instrument or similar device during nighttime hours "in such a manner or with such volume" as to "annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any reasonable person in any dwelling," hotel, motel or other residence.

Barking dogs

Section 12-5007(o) bans keeping any animal or bird that, "by habitual or frequent sound, cry, howling, barking, squawking, meowing" or other unreasonable noise, disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of a reasonable person.

Construction and yard work

Building, digging, demolition or repair in a residential or business district: only from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The building inspector can give a permit for other hours (§ 12-5007(g)). A nearby occupant can complain in writing, and the permit must be revoked if the work is found unreasonable.
Lawn care equipment used in the daytime is exempt from the general rule. So is daytime construction equipment with standard mufflers (§ 12-5004(a)(2) and (3)).
Repairing or testing a vehicle in a residential district so it causes unreasonable noise at night is banned (§ 12-5007(l)).

Bars and restaurants

Amplified sound from businesses has its own decibel limits (§ 12-5006). Outside the Glenwood South District, a business can go up to 70 dB(A) or 75 dB(C) from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday or 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and then 55 dB(A) or 60 dB(C) until 2 a.m. From 2 a.m. to 10 a.m., its amplified sound can't be plainly audible 25 feet past its property line.

How to complain

The City's public nuisance page says "the City of Raleigh Police Department is responsible for addressing all noise complaints" and gives the number 919-829-1911. For music from bars, restaurants and clubs, the City's amplified sound page says to use that same line for urgent noise. For concerns that don't need a quick response, use the Ask Raleigh online portal. Those are handled no sooner than the next business day. The same page links an Ask Raleigh form for other kinds of noise. For an emergency, call 911.

Say someone gets a noise citation and turns the volume back up the same day or within four hours. An officer can order it turned down again. Ignoring that order is a separate misdemeanor (§ 12-5010).

Penalties

Under § 12-5011(a), a violation brings a civil penalty of:

$250 for a first violation
$500 for each later violation within 12 months of another

Each day a violation continues is a separate violation. The penalty can be appealed in writing to the City Manager's Office within 10 calendar days. A violation can also be charged as a misdemeanor, with up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $500 (§ 12-5011(c)). The City can also go to court for a court order to stop the noise (§ 12-5011(b)).

Keeping a record

Raleigh's rules turn on whether noise is unreasonable, and the factors include how long it lasts and how often it happens. Dated notes help show that. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates.

Raleigh noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Raleigh?

Nighttime is 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Music, TV or speakers can't disturb a reasonable person in a home during those hours. Construction: only 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in residential and business districts, unless permitted.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Raleigh?

Raleigh Police non-emergency: 919-829-1911, for noise complaints. The City says Raleigh Police handle all noise complaints. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Raleigh's noise rules?

Raleigh City Code Part 12, Chapter 5 (Noise), §§ 12-5001 to 12-5011. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What is the fine for a noise violation in Raleigh?

A civil penalty of $250 for a first violation and $500 for each later one within 12 months. It can also be charged as a misdemeanor.

Sources

Last checked October 21, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.