PERMITS FOR ADDITIONAL AMPLIFICATION OUTSIDE GLENWOOD SOUTH DISTRICT.
Raleigh City Code § 12-5008
in effectSec. 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)
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_CH5NO_S12-5008PEADAMOUGLSODIFetched: 11/1/2026