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Wake Forest looks at amending noise ordinance




Town Hall is shown in downtown Wake Forest. Amber Revels-Stocks | Wake Weekly file photo

WAKE FOREST — Enforcing the noise ordinance in the town of Wake Forest has proved a challenge. The rules are difficult to read and interpret, making the ordinance tough to enforce, said Lisa Hayes, the town’s strategic performance manager.

Hayes spoke to the town’s Board of Commissioners on Monday evening to provide an update on progress made in updating the rules and amending the noise ordinance.



Over the past three years, the town has received some 970 complaints about noise, 400 of which involved loud music. The current ordinance was last updated about 12 years ago, she said. 

Hayes, in researching the issue with the community, culled about 325 comments from residents and surveyed towns throughout Wake County, including Cary, Holly Springs and Apex. A temporary waiver to raise decibel levels expired in May 2021. New permittees, for commercial customers only, would have allowed loud music on the weekends until 10 p.m. People can now push the noise limits Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Goals for the update include standardizing hours and decibel readings, simplifying the permitting process for events, clarifying rules over citations and updating the process for enforcement and penalties.

The current rules would increase decibel levels to as high as 75 on weekends — from 65 — and as high as 85 on weekends for permit holders, which would mostly encompass the downtown business district. Residential permits would not be offered.

In comparison, highway traffic decibel levels, Hayes said, reach about 75. Lawnmowers are about 90 and a chainsaw is 110. Dropping a needle to the floor is about 5 decibels, and normal conversation around 60. Anything over 85 decibels could lead to hearing loss. A jet aircraft registers about 140 decibels, which could cause immediate hearing loss, according to Hayes.

Police officers typically talk to offenders and issue a warning before citing offenders, unless the process continues to repeat itself. 

Mayor Vivian Jones questioned raising the decibel level, saying 75 is still loud. Parades and similar town events would be exempt from the permitting process.

“I think we really need to think about this,” she said. “I think you’re going to get a lot of complaints when people are loud.”

Town officials say the louder level would make it easier to differentiate between sounds that are just loud to noise that breaks the rules. Fines start at $250 and can go as high as $2,000 after the fifth offense.

The top five complaints from residents surrounded noise made by loud mufflers, fireworks, residential parties with music and lawn and landscaping machines.

Hayes will review recommendations from commissioners and provide a report on amending the ordinance at a future meeting.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

The town recognized Wake Forest police Lt. Donald Godfrey Jr., who is retiring, and Dr. Enoch E. Holloway. The department hired Godfrey in December 1988, and Holloway is celebrating his 40th year as pastor of Friendship Chapel Baptist Church in Wake Forest.

“I appreciate the support I received from the town, and the friendships I have made,” Godfrey said. 

Said Holloway, “All I can say is thank you. It has been 40 years that I have enjoyed. … God bless Wake Forest.”