Sounds impacting residential life.
Charlotte City Code § 15-63
in effectSec. 15-63. - Sounds impacting residential life.
(a) It shall be unlawful to carry on the following activities in any residentially zoned area of the city or within 300 feet of any residentially occupied structure in any zone of the city:
(1) The operation of a front-end loader for refuse collection between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(2) The operation of construction machinery between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
a. "Construction machinery" shall include but not be limited to the use of the following:
1. Air compressors.
2. Pile drivers.
3. Sledgehammers.
4. Bulldozers.
5. Front-end loader/Backhoes.
6. Cranes.
7. Steam or electric hoists.
8. Off-road construction vehicles other than trucks.
9. Pumps.
10. Pneumatic tools.
11. Blasting.
12. Power tools.
13. Tunneling machines.
14. Construction devices with internal combustion engines.
15. Construction devices that emit impulsive sound.
16. Construction devices that create vibration.
17. Metal plates used in street construction to temporarily cover excavations.
18. Any other construction devices or related activities.
(3) The operation of garage machinery between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(4) The operation of lawn mowers and other domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(b) Any mechanical noise other than that regulated in subsection (a) which registers more than 70 db(A) at the nearest complainant's property line is a violation.
Noise Reference Chart
Type | Decibels dB(A)
Whisper | 30
Normal conversation/laughter | 50-65
Vacuum Cleaner at 10 feet | 70
Washing machine/dishwasher | 78
Motorcycle | 88
Lawnmower | 85-90
Train | 100
Jackhammer/power saw | 110
Thunderclap | 120
Stereo/boom box | 110-120
Nearby jet takeoff | 130
(c) This section shall not apply to:
(1) Emergency operations designed to protect the public health and safety; or
(2) Work by city crews or city contractors in a right-of-way or utility easement when the department responsible for the work has determined that it is necessary to undertake the work between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.:
a. In order to avoid unreasonably impacting the flow of traffic (this determination shall be made in consultation with the Charlotte Department of Transportation);
b. In order to avoid unreasonably disrupting the provision of a utility service; or
c. Because of a North Carolina Department of Transportation requirement.
(Ord. No. 4663, § 1, 5-23-2011; Ord. No. 9585, § 1, 6-24-2019)
Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH15OFMIPR_ARTIIINO_S15-63SOIMRELIFetched: 10/27/2026