Outdoor amplification and music at commercial establishments.
Charlotte City Code § 15-65.1
in effectSec. 15-65.1. - Outdoor amplification and music at commercial establishments.
(a) Except in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to section 15-65.2, it shall be unlawful for any commercial establishment (including but not limited to a restaurant, bar, or nightclub) to operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment out of doors or directed out of doors or to allow live acoustic music out of doors or directed out of doors other than during the times listed below or so as to create sounds registering in excess of:
(1) 85 db(C) Sunday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.;
(2) 60 db(C) Sunday through Thursday between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following day;
(3) 85 db(C) Friday or Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.; or
(4) 60 db(C) between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following day.
An establishment may be cited for violating this section only if the enforcing authority determines that the sound being produced is, using a reasonable person standard and taking into consideration the day of week and time of day, unreasonably loud and disturbing to the quiet enjoyment and use of residentially occupied property. For purposes of this section, hotels, motels, other short-term accommodations shall be considered residentially occupied property.
(b) The decibel limits prescribed in this section shall be measured at the property line of the commercial property at which the sound is being generated.
(c) An establishment that has been determined to be non-cooperative pursuant to subsection 15-65.3(e) shall be subject to enhanced civil penalties pursuant to subsection 15-68(5) and, after two violations of this section within one year after having been determined to be non-cooperative shall not operate or allow the operation of sound amplification equipment out of doors or directed out of doors or allow live acoustic music out of doors or directed out of doors for a period of 18 months after the second violation. The 18-month prohibition shall apply to the establishment and the property on which the establishment is located.
(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_S15-65.1OUAMMUCOESFetched: 10/27/2026