Noise Disturbance Last updated or reviewed on October 7, 2024 Introduction Asheville residents are protected by the city’s noise ordinance from excessive noise that degrades their quality of life. The noise ordinance outlines noise violation criteria and enforcement measures and is administered by the new Noise Compliance Division. An updated noise ordinance became effective on Sept. 15, 2021 following a two year public engagement process. Click here to review Asheville’s noise ordinance. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions. Click here for information about the Noise Advisory Board. Submit a Noise Complaint Click here for information about filing a noise complaint. 09/30/24: Following Tropical Storm Helene, City of Asheville Noise Compliance Staff has been assigned to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities involving noise complaints. The following enforcement areas in the noise ordinance are temporarily suspended: Waste haulers Construction sound (heavy duty equipment, chainsaws, crew vehicles) Industrial equipment (generators) Residents experiencing noise disturbance from a neighbor in a multi-family apartment complex are directed to report the incident to their property manager. Request Assistance with Measuring Your Business’ Sound Levels To assist local businesses and organizations with proactively managing noise from common operational activities, the City of Asheville’s Noise Compliance Team offers on-site technical assistance to determine decibel (dBA) levels. Click here to submit a request for technical assistance and a Noise Compliance team member will contact you to set up an in-person appointment to measure on-site sound levels at your business or organization. Apply for a Sound Exceedance Permit Beginning September 15, 2021, an annual Sound Exceedance permit is required for any activity on private property in Asheville’s Central Business District and Commercial districts that exceeds the following sound level limits: Sound Level Limits Daytime Su – Th: 7 am – 10 pm F – S: 7 am – 11 pm Nighttime Su – Th: 7 am – 10 pm F – S: 7 am – 11 pm Late Night CBD only 2 am – 7 am Central Business District 72 dBA 67 dBA 62 dBA Commercial District 65 dBA 57 dBA Sound levels are typically measured from a receiver’s property in the proximity of where the sound is being received using the A-weighting scale on an ANSI Class 1 or 2 sound level meter set on slow response for an interval of one minute (Leq1). Sound level limits reflect a one minute average (Leq1), not a single maximum level (Lmax) reading. A Sound Exceedance permit cannot be issued for: Property in a residential district; Property in an industrial district; Events held on city-owned public property, like a public park, that require a Outdoor Special Event (OSE) permit; or Property located outside of city limits. An annual permit applies for events held during the calendar year between January 1 – December 31. Those who wish to host activity that will exceed these sound level limits on an applicable property should apply for one of the following types of annual Sound Exceedance permit: Type 1: 1 – 2 sound exceedance events/year ($100 for annual permit) Type 2: 3 – 8 sound exceedance events/year ($200 for annual permit) Type 3: 9 – 30 sound exceedance events/year* ($500 for annual permit) * Available for permitted Performance Centers only Sound Exceedance events must adhere to the following conditions: Cannot occur outside the following times: Sun – Thu: 10 am – 10 pm Fri – Sat : 10 am – 11 pm Cannot exceed 8 hours sound exceedance/event Cannot exceed 85 dBA (average of 1 minute reading) measured from a neighboring property with an occupied dwelling unit Applications for sound exceedance permits can be submitted and paid for online at www.develop.ashevillenc.gov. Click here for additional information. Contact Information Contact the Noise Compliance Division at noise@ashevillenc.gov. Click here for information about filing a noise complaint.
