Approved
At their Oct. 21 meeting, City Council approved the ordinance amendment presented at the Oct. 7 meeting. The Council also approved hiring a sound professional to consult with businesses Citywide. The expert would advise on sound and distance issues, and, if needed, recommend changes to the ordinance as needed.
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Late night music outside your favorite restaurant will get some more specific guidelines in the new year. The Raleigh City Council approved a new amplified noise ordinance which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The changes factors in concerns raised by businesses and neighbors about commercial amplified entertainment, especially when that amplified sound resonates outdoors. Working with Sound City Planning, staff proposed three categories of decibel limits that vary based on the time of day and day of the week:
- for Glenwood South,
- for the remainder of the city, and
- for venues outside Glenwood South that obtain a permit.
The ordinance differentiates between dB(A) – normal conversation – and dB(C) – deeper sounds like a thumping bass.
The new ordinance incorporate input from neighbors, businesses, an online survey, and City staff. Sound City also spent time in Raleigh listening to neighborhood hotspots to understand the specific concerns raised.
The Raleigh Police Department plans to add four non-sworn staff to monitor noise throughout the city. Violations result in a civil complaint, which carries a $1,500 penalty for three or more violations. A fourth violation means that no outdoor sound equipment will be allowed for 18 months.
The new rules follow a July 1 direction from Council to assess the current ordinance and provide suggestions for managing amplified sound. The changes only apply to amplified sound from commercial establishments. Current rules continue to apply to all other noise.
The changes only apply to amplified sound from commercial establishments. Current rules continue to apply to all other noise.
Amplified Sound Limits
Note: Between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. citywide, amplified sound should not be plainly audible from 25 feet.
| Citywide Levels | |
|---|---|
| Day and Time | Max dB |
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun – Thurs 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fri and Sat. | 70 dB(A) or 75 dB(C) |
Starting at 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday Starting at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday | 55 dB(A) or 50 dB(C)
|
| Citywide Levels With Permit | |
|---|---|
| Day and Time | Max dB |
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. | 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) Permit can set lower level |
| Glenwood South Levels | |
|---|---|
| Day and Time | Max dB |
| 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. | 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) |
| 10 a.m. – midnight Fri. and Sat. | 82 dB(A) or 92 dB(C) |
| Midnight – 2 a.m. Sat. and Sun. morning | 80 dB(A) or 88 dB(C) |
