NOISE

Raleigh City Code pt. 12, ch. 5

in effect

Raleigh City Code § 12-5001 DEFINITIONS.

Sec. 12-5001. - DEFINITIONS. In addition to the common meanings of words, the following definitions shall be used in interpreting §§12-5001 through 12-5011 of this Code: City right-of-way. Land upon which the City has the right to construct a street, sidewalk, bicycle path, use for public utilities, landscape with plants or to carry out any other public purpose. Construction. On-site erection, fabrication, installation, alteration, demolition or removal of any structure, facility or addition thereto, including all related activities, including, but not restricted to, clearing of land, earth moving, blasting and landscaping. Daytime hours. 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., local time. Emergency. Any occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate attention to engage in emergency work. Emergency work. Work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition, work required to protect, provide or prevent persons or property from danger or potential danger; or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service. Glenwood South District. The area: (a) That begins at Hillsborough Street at its intersection with North Boylan Avenue; (b) Proceeds north along North Boylan Avenue; (c) Proceeds east along Peace Street; (d) Proceeds south along North West Street; and (e) Proceeds west along Hillsborough Street to North Boylan Avenue, the place of beginning. Commercial establishments within the area described and commercial establishments fronting on either side of the streets listed, other than Peace Street, are included within the Glenwood South District. For Peace Street, only commercial establishments fronting on the south side of Peace Street are included within the Glenwood South District. Nighttime hours. 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., local time. Noise sensitive area. Areas that include, but are not limited to, real property normally used for sleeping or normally used as a school, church, healthcare facility providing treatment requiring patient recovery, or public library. Plainly audible. Any sound or vibration caused by sound that can be detected by a reasonable person of ordinary sensitivities using their unaided hearing faculties. Any noise that can clearly be heard is plainly audible; words or phrases need not be discernible. Plainly audible noise includes bass reverberation and rhythmic bass tones. Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, agency, political subdivision of this State, any other state or political subdivision or agency thereof or any legal successor, representative, agent or agency of the foregoing. Public place. Includes all walks, alleys, streets, boulevards, avenues, lanes, roads, highways or other ways or thoroughfares dedicated to public use or owned or maintained by public authority; all grounds and buildings owned or leased by, maintained or operated by public authority. Reasonable person. A person of normal and ordinary sensitivities who is within the area of the audibility or perceptibility of the noise or vibration that transmits sounds which disrupt the reasonable conduct of basic human activities, such as conversation, sleep, work and other such activities. Sound source. Any person, animal, device, operation, process, activity, or phenomenon which emits or causes sound. Special event. An event operating in accordance with the City Council's Special Event Policy. Unreasonable noise. The unreasonable making of, or knowingly and unreasonably permitting to be made, any sound that is an unreasonably loud, boisterous, or unusual noise, disturbance, commotion, or vibration due to bass levels or other sources from any dwelling, building, other structure, or privately-owned outdoor property, or upon any public street, park or other place or building. Any sound that is ordinary and normal to the operation of these places when conducted in accordance with the usual standards of practice, including standards for noise mitigation, and in a manner that will not unreasonably interfere with the peace and comfort of neighbors or their guest, or operators or customers in places of business, or detrimentally or adversely affect such residences or places of business, shall not be enforced as an unreasonable noise. Verified noise violation. A violation of this Chapter 5 in which one or more of the following occur: (a) Civil penalties issued for the violation are paid; (b) Civil penalties are assessed for a violation and not appealed within the time permitted; (c) An appeal to the City Manager's Office is upheld by the City official deciding that appeal; or, (d) A person charged with a criminal offense is found guilty or responsible by a Court official, regardless of a subsequent appeal. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24; Ord. No. (2025) 802, §§ 1, 2, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5002 SCOPE.

Sec. 12-5002. - SCOPE. This chapter applies to the enforcement and control of all sound originating within the jurisdictional limits of the City. It is of paramount importance that the enforcement of this chapter be content-neutral to protect the freedom of expression guaranteed by sections 12, 13, and 14 of the North Carolina Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, such that this chapter enacts narrowly drawn, content-neutral regulations that are to be interpreted as such so as not to infringe upon constitutionally protected rights. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5003 GENERAL PROHIBITIONS.

Sec. 12-5003. - GENERAL PROHIBITIONS. (a) No person shall make or continue to make: (1) Any plainly audible unreasonably loud or raucous noise; (2) Any plainly audible noise which unreasonably disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of normal and ordinary sensitivities; (3) Any plainly audible noise that is so harsh, prolonged, unnatural or unusual in time or place as to occasion unreasonable discomfort to any reasonable persons within the vicinity of the location from which that noise emanates, or as to unreasonably interfere with the peace and comfort of neighbors or their guests, or operators or customers in places of business, or as to detrimentally or adversely affect such residences or places of business. (b) Factors for determining whether a sound is unreasonably loud or raucous include, but are not limited to: (1) The proximity of the sound to sleeping facilities, whether residential or commercial; (2) The land use, nature, and zoning of the area from which the sound emanates and the area where it is received; (3) The time of day or night the sounds occurs; (4) The duration of the sound; and (5) Whether the sound is recurrent, intermittent, or constant. (c) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced pursuant to § 12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5004 EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION STANDARDS.

Sec. 12-5004. - EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION STANDARDS. (a) The general prohibitions as defined in § 12-5003 and the amplified sound requirements set out in §§ 12-5006, 12-5008, and 12-5009 shall not apply to the following sources: (1) Emergency warning devices or safety signals; (2) Lawn care equipment and agricultural field equipment used during the daytime hours; (3) Equipment being used for construction, provided that all equipment is operated with all standard equipment manufacturer's mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition during daytime hours; (4) Fairs, circuses, other similar public entertainment events, sanctioned sporting events, sporting activities taking place in areas set aside for such activities, or any activities normally associated with any of the above; (5) Bells, chimes and similar devices which operate during daytime hours for a duration of no longer than five (5) minutes in any given period; (6) Emergency work; (7) Sixty-cycle electric transformers; (8) Motor vehicles on traffic ways of the City; (9) Excavation and loading of spoil and excavation materials from sites located within the boundaries of the secondary fire district as described in § 5-2034; (10) Excavation and loading of spoil and excavation materials from sites located on City owned landfill sites, and activity associated with the drop off of recycling, trash and hazardous waste at City facilities, including transfer stations and convenience centers; (11) Properly installed and operating residential heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; (12) Repairs or excavations of bridges, streets or highways by or on behalf of the City, the County, the State or the federal government, during nighttime hours when the public welfare and convenience renders it impractical to perform the work during daytime hours; (13) Stadiums, arenas, and outdoor sports or entertainment facilities, specifically including amphitheaters, as defined under the Unified Development Ordinance; (14) Shopping centers containing more than one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of retail space so long as no such event continues more than seven (7) consecutive days and so long as the total number of days devoted to such events in a calendar year does not exceed twenty (20) days or four (4) weekends; (15) Parades permitted under City Code § 12-1052 and spectators and participants in those parades; (16) Outdoor events, races, festivals, or concerts on public property or public vehicular areas that are permitted by the City; (17) Sound associated with the delivery of public services by the City, County, State and the federal government; (18) Outdoor school and playground activities. Reasonable activities conducted on public playgrounds and public or private school grounds, which are conducted in accordance with the manner in which such spaces are generally used, including, but not limited to, school athletic and school entertainment events during daytime hours; and, (19) This section establishes exceptions only to §§ 12-5003, 12-5006, 12-5008, and 12-5009. The exceptions set out herein do not apply to City Code § 12-5007 and do not authorize any Prohibited Noises regulated by § 12-5007. (b) In addition, the general prohibitions as defined in § 12-5003 shall not apply to amplified sound from a commercial establishment that complies fully with all requirements set out in §§ 12-5006, 12-5008 or 12-5009, including decibel or other limits related to sound. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24; Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 3, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5005 MEASUREMENT.

Sec. 12-5005. - MEASUREMENT. For the purpose of determining dB(A)s as referred to in this Chapter 5, the noise shall be measured on the A-weighting scale on a sound level meter of standard design and quality having characteristics established by the American National Standards Institute. For the purpose of determining db(C)s as referred to in this Chapter 5, the noise shall be measured on the C-weighting scale on a sound level meter of standard design and quality having characteristics established by the American National Standards Institute. Unless otherwise specifically stated, decibel or other limits prescribed in this Chapter 5 shall be measured at any one of the following locations: the property line of the commercial property where the sound is being generated, any point beyond the property line, including from private property with lawful access or consent, or in any public place. (Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 4, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5006 AMPLIFIED SOUND AT COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

Sec. 12-5006. - AMPLIFIED SOUND AT COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. (a) Except for the Glenwood South District, it shall be unlawful for any commercial establishment (including but not limited to a restaurant, bar, or nightclub) or for any person operating or managing a commercial establishment to operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment or any other device that amplifies sound so as to create sounds registering in excess of any of the decibel or other limits set out below during the hours and days specified: (1) Up to 70 dB(A) or 75 dB(C) between 10:00 a.m. and: (a) 10:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday; or (b) 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (2) Up to 55 dB(A) or 60 dB(C) on: (a) Sunday through Thursday between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following day; or (b) Friday and Saturday between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following day. (3) On any day between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., sound that is plainly audible from a distance of twenty-five (25) feet or more from the property line or property boundary of the property where the sound is generated is prohibited. (b) Commercial establishments that produce amplified sound that is plainly audible off of the premises of the establishment, shall provide to the City the name, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the persons responsible for amplified sound at the establishment. Any personnel change shall be immediately updated by the commercial establishment. The City shall publish the names, numbers, and addresses in a manner in which they are available to the public. (c) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This section may also be enforced pursuant to §12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (d) A commercial establishment where two (2) verified noise violations occur within any twelve-month period shall be subject to enhanced civil penalties of an additional $1,500.00 for each subsequent violation that occurs at the establishment within the following twenty-four (24) months. In addition, if more than three (3) verified noise violations occur at a commercial establishment within any twelve-month period, the establishment, its owners, and its operators shall not operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment out of doors or directed out of doors for a period of 18 months. The 18-month prohibition shall apply to the establishment and the property on which the establishment is located. (Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 4, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5007 PROHIBITED NOISES.

Sec. 12-5007. - PROHIBITED NOISES. Except when specifically allowed as a part of a permitted Special Event, in addition to any other violations of this Code, the following acts are specifically declared to be plainly audible unreasonable noise, the emission of which shall be unlawful. Such enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive: (a) 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 danger signal after or as brakes are being applied and deceleration of the vehicle is intended; the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time. (b) The use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle other than police, fire, ambulance or other emergency vehicles. (c) The playing of any radio, phonograph, amplifier, television, stereo, tape deck, tape recorder, musical instrument, or similar device in such a manner or with such volume during the nighttime hours as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any reasonable person in any dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence. (d) The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, so modified, or driven in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from any reasonable person so as to create unreasonably loud, grating, grinding, rattling or other noise. (e) The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler, except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as warning of danger. (f) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent unreasonably loud or explosive noises therefrom. (g) The erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration or repair of any building or other structure in a residential or business district other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., except by permit from the building inspector when, in their opinion, such work will not create plainly audible unreasonable noise. Upon complaint in writing by the occupant of property near the location of the work, the building inspector shall immediately revoke the permit and the work shall be immediately discontinued if the work is found to be unreasonable. The building inspector may permit emergency work in the preservation of public health or safety at any time. (h) The creation of any plainly audible unreasonable noise within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a noise sensitive area. This section is only to be applied when an institution or sleeping area in a noise sensitive area is in session or in active use. (i) The creation of plainly audible unreasonable noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicles, equipment, or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers. (j) The creation of plainly audible unreasonable noise in connection with the shouting and crying of peddlers, barkers, hawkers or vendors which disturbs the quiet and peace of the neighborhood. This section is to be applied only to those situations where the disturbance is not a result of the content of the communication, but due to the volume, location, timing, or other factors not based on content. (k) The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of plainly audible unreasonable noise to any performance, show or sale or display of merchandise. (l) The conducting, operating or maintaining of any garage or filling station, or the repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor vehicle in any residential district, so as to cause plainly audible unreasonable noise to be emitted therefrom during the nighttime hours. (m) The firing or discharging of firearms in the streets or elsewhere for the purpose of making noise or disturbance. (n) The creation of plainly audible unreasonable noise by the operation of an airplane over the City by stunting, diving or otherwise operating an airplane for the purpose of advertising or otherwise. (o) No person shall keep or maintain, or permit the keeping of, on any premise, owned, leased; occupied or controlled by such person, any animal or fowl otherwise permitted to be kept which, by habitual or frequent sound, cry, howling, barking, squawking, meowing or other plainly audible unreasonable noise, shall disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any reasonable person. (p) The unreasonably loud and raucous use or operation on public places, City rights-of-way, or on public vehicular areas of any sound amplifier, bullhorn, loudspeaker, public address system, or other similar device, when operated in such a manner as to be plainly audible during nighttime hours at a distance of fifty (50) feet from any reasonable person, and during daytime hours, at a distance of three hundred (300) feet from any reasonable person, other than the player(s) or operator(s) of the device, and those who are voluntarily listening to the sound, and unreasonably disturbs a reasonable person is prohibited and is a violation of this section. (q) Unreasonable noise from the premises of any commercial establishment, including any outdoor area which is part of or under the control of the establishment, during nighttime hours that is plainly audible at a distance of one hundred and fifty (150) feet from the property line of the sound source, and during daytime hours, that is plainly audible at a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the property line of the sound source is prohibited and is a violation of this section. Amplified sound from a commercial establishment that complies fully with all applicable requirements set out in §§ 12-5006, 12-5008 or 12-5009, including decibel or other limits related to sound, does not constitute unreasonable noise under this subsection. The provisions of this section shall apply neither in the secondary fire district as described in § 5-2034 of this Code nor on publicly owned sanitary landfill property. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor. Any subsection may also be enforced pursuant to § 12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24; Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 5, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5008 PERMITS FOR ADDITIONAL AMPLIFICATION OUTSIDE GLENWOOD SOUTH DISTRICT.

Sec. 12-5008. - PERMITS FOR ADDITIONAL AMPLIFICATION OUTSIDE GLENWOOD SOUTH DISTRICT. (a) The City may grant a permit to a commercial establishment outside of the Glenwood South District that allows additional amplified sound up to the maximum shown during the following days and times: (1) 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) Sunday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; (2) 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) Friday or Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. The permit shall contain an expiration date that is no later than one year after its issuance. A permit may be issued for a single event, a set of recurrent events, or a period not to exceed one year. A permit may be cancelled if, after its use, the City determines that the character, intensity or duration of the additional sound is detrimental to the life or health of reasonable persons. A permit shall be cancelled if the commercial establishment receives a verified noise violation while using the permit to exceed the levels set by § 12-5006. (b) The City shall establish an application process and an application form. Applications must be submitted at least ten (10) business days in advance of the planned use. (c) The City may grant the permit when all of the following conditions are met: (1) The commercial establishment provides a noise mitigation plan designed to mitigate the impact of the additional sound. (2) The City determines that the additional sound generated will not cause a significant harmful impact to the community. In making this determination, the City may consider any relevant factor and must consider: i. Proximity to residences; ii. Hours during which the additional sound will be provided; iii. Orientation of the sound and sound generating equipment; iv. Sound system details; v. Topography; vi. Venue capacity; vii. Sound mitigating design features; and, viii. Intensity of amplification. (3) The place where the sound is generated is not within a residential zoning district. (4) The establishment is not within three hundred (300) feet of a noise sensitive area. (5) The establishment has not had a verified noise violation within the prior 12 months. (d) Any permit shall contain a condition requiring that the commercial establishment comply with the terms of any noise mitigation plan offered as a part of the application process. As a condition of granting the permit, the City may impose additional reasonable safeguards designed to mitigate impacts from additional amplified sound. (e) The fees associated with the permit shall be as set forth in the City of Raleigh Fee Schedule. The City Manager or the Manager's designee shall create an application and other processes necessary to implement this section. The City Manager or the Manager's designee is responsible for administering this section, including issuing and cancelling authorized permits. (f) Any person denied a permit may appeal by filing a written appeal with the City Manager's Office within ten (10) calendar days after the decision was issued. The written appeal shall state all reasons that the permit was wrongly denied and shall include all supporting documentation and recordings that the appellant contends supports the appeal. The City Manager or the Manager's designee will obtain materials from the City officials involved in denying the permit, consider all materials, and issue a final decision. (g) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This section may also be enforced pursuant to §12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (h) A commercial establishment where two (2) verified noise violations occur within any twelve-month period shall be subject to enhanced civil penalties of an additional $1,500.00 for each subsequent violation that occurs at the establishment within the following twenty-four (24) months. In addition, if more than three (3) verified noise violations occur at a commercial establishment within any twelve-month period, the establishment, its owners, and its operators shall not operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment out of doors or directed out of doors for a period of 18 months. The 18-month prohibition shall apply to the establishment and the property on which the establishment is located. (Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 4, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5009 AMPLIFIED SOUND IN GLENWOOD SOUTH DISTRICT.

Sec. 12-5009. - AMPLIFIED SOUND IN GLENWOOD SOUTH DISTRICT. (a) Within the Glenwood South District, it shall be unlawful for any commercial establishment (including but not limited to a restaurant, bar, or nightclub) or for any person operating or managing a commercial establishment to operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment or any other device that amplifies sound so as to create sounds registering in excess of any of the decibel or other limits set out below during the hours and days specified: WEEKDAYS Sunday (beginning at 2:00 a.m.) - Thursday Time Period | Times | Sound Level Primary | between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. | Up to 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) Late Night | between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. | Up to 75 dB(A) or 80 dB(C) Overnight | between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | On any day sound that is plainly audible from a distance of twenty-five (25) feet or more from the property line or property boundary of the property where the sound is generated is prohibited. WEEKENDS Friday (and Saturday morning from midnight through 2:00 a.m.) Saturday (and Sunday morning from midnight through 2:00 a.m.) Time Period | Times | Sound Level Primary | between 10:00 a.m. and midnight | Up to 82 dB(A) or 92 dB(C) Late Night | between midnight and 2:00 a.m. | Up to 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) Overnight | between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | On any day sound that is plainly audible from a distance of twenty-five (25) feet or more from the property line or property boundary of the property where the sound is generated is prohibited. (b) Commercial establishments that produce amplified sound in the Glenwood South District that is plainly audible off of the premises of the establishment, shall provide to the City the name, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the persons responsible for amplified sound at the establishment. Any personnel change shall be immediately updated by the commercial establishment. The City shall publish the names, numbers, and addresses in a manner in which they are available to the public. (c) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This section may also be enforced pursuant to §12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (d) A commercial establishment where two (2) verified noise violations occur within any twelve-month period shall be subject to enhanced civil penalties of an additional $1,500.00 for each subsequent violation that occurs at the establishment within the following twenty-four (24) months. In addition, if more than three (3) verified noise violations occur at a commercial establishment within any twelve-month period, the establishment, its owners, and its operators shall not operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment out of doors or directed out of doors for a period of 18 months. The 18-month prohibition shall apply to the establishment and the property on which the establishment is located. (Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 6, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5010 FAILURE TO REDUCE NOISE AFTER RECEIVING CITATION.

Sec. 12-5010. - FAILURE TO REDUCE NOISE AFTER RECEIVING CITATION. (a) A person who receives a citation, whether civil or criminal, for violation of §§12-5001 through 12-5007 shall immediately lower the sound volume to a level that complies with §§12-5001 through 12-5010. (b) If the sound volume is increased in violation of §§12-5001 through 12-5010 within either a. the same day that the citation, whether civil or criminal, was issued, or b. within four (4) hours after the citation was issued, a law enforcement official may direct that the sound volume be lowered to a level that complies with §§12-5001 through 12-5010. Any person receiving such a directive shall lower the sound volume to a level that complies with §§12-5001 through 12-5010. (c) If requested by the person receiving the citation, a law enforcement officer may assist in establishing a sound volume that complies with this section. (d) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This section may also be enforced pursuant to §12-5011 or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. (2025)701 , § 1, 1-7-25; Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 7, 10-21-25)

Raleigh City Code § 12-5011 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF NOISE RESTRICTIONS.

Sec. 12-5011. - PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF NOISE RESTRICTIONS. (a) Civil Penalties: (1) Any person violating any of the provisions of §§ 12-5001 through 12-5010 shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for an initial violation. Each calendar day on which a continuing violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation under this subsection. For each subsequent violation occurring within twelve (12) months of any other violation, the violator shall be subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per violation. (2) If a person fails to pay any civil penalty within thirty (30) days after it is assessed, the City may recover the penalty, together with all costs allowed by law, by filing a civil action in the General Court of Justice in the nature of a suit to collect a debt. The Police Department and any other person designated by the City Manager are authorized to issue civil penalty citations to enforce this section. (3) Appeal of civil penalties: Any person issued a civil penalty under the provisions of this section may appeal by filing an appeal in writing with the City Manager's Office within ten (10) calendar days after the civil penalty is issued. The written appeal shall state all reasons that the civil penalty was wrongly applied and shall include all supporting documentation and recordings that the appellant contends supports the appeal. The City Manager or the Manager's designee will obtain materials from the City officials involved in issuing the civil penalty, consider all materials, and issue a final decision. A timely written appeal, stays the civil penalty being appealed pending the Manager's or the designee's decision. All decisions of the Chief of Police and arbitrator shall be served on the petitioner. (b) Injunctive and Equitable Relief: As an additional remedy, this chapter may be enforced, either before or after the institution of any other action or proceeding authorized by this subsection, by an action for injunctive relief to restrain the violation or to obtain other equitable relief as allowed by law. The action shall be brought in the appropriate division of the General Court of Justice. The institution of an action for injunctive relief shall not relieve any party to such proceeding from any civil or criminal penalty prescribed for violations of this chapter. This chapter may also be enforced through any appropriate equitable remedy. (c) Criminal Penalties: Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days or by fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation under this subsection. (d) Enforcement: In addition to other remedies, this chapter may be enforced by any one (1), all, or a combination of the remedies set out herein. (Ord. No. (2024) 586, § 1, 1-2-24; Ord. No. (2025)703, § 1, 1-7-25; Ord. No. (2025) 802, § 9, 10-21-25)

Source: City of Raleigh, North Carolina, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/raleigh/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=DIVIICOGEOR_PT12LIRE_CH5NOFetched: 11/1/2026