Trash or Recycling Collection Noise

Trash or Recycling collection is not allowed in any Residential District or within 100 feet of a Residential District between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Trash or Recycling collection is not allowed in the Central Business District (CBD) between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Click here to view a zoning map of Asheville. Trash or Recycling collection is not allowed in a red area during the times listed above. 

In dense areas, like downtown and apartment/condo communities, commercial refuse collection occurs in the morning as a safety precaution for truck operators and residents. Refuse collection occurs early to prevent traffic and safety accidents. 

Click the "next" button below to file a refuse collection complaint with the Development Services Department (DSD). Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they need additional information.

Construction Noise

Construction is allowed in Asheville on Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

All construction equipment must be operated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications with all standard noise-reducing equipment in place and in proper condition.

Construction outside of these hours requires an after-hours permit that includes noise mitigation measures from the City's Development Services Department. Click here to view all issued construction permits. 

Click the "next" button below to file a construction noise complaint with the Development Services Department (DSD). Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they need additional information.

Industrial Operations/Equipment Noise

Noisy industrial operations and equipment can be deemed a noise disturbance in Asheville.

For industrial noise, the noise ordinance uses a decibel level standard to determine whether a noise ordinance violation exists. These sound level limits are:

Sound levels are typically measured from the property where the sound is being received, using the A-weighting scale (dBA) 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.

To report a noise disturbance from industrial operations or equipment, click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information.

Firework Noise

Permitted firework displays are allowed in Asheville in celebration of federal holidays.

Permitted firework displays are also allowed at McCormick Field on non-consecutive Fridays or Saturdays between 10:00 AM and 11:30 PM for no more than 12 ten-minute periods per year.

Non-permitted fireworks displays are illegal in the state of North Carolina. 

To report a firework display noise outside of a federal holiday, please call the Asheville Police Department’s non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared. 

Dog Barking or Animal Noise

If your complaint is about a barking dog or animal noise, call the Animal Services Division at 828-252-1110

Animal Services Officers are available to respond on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Outside of these hours, an APD officer will be dispatched to respond. Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than criminal offenses. Officers will respond to animal noise complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared. An enforcement officer must witness the violation in order to cite an offender.

Residential Neighbor Noise

All residents in Asheville must abide by Asheville's noise ordinance. Noise caused by residents can be deemed a noise disturbance.

The following criteria are used to determine whether sound from residential neighbors constitutes a noise disturbance: 

• Whether the noise occurred during the day or night (10:00 pm - 7:00 am);
• Nature and zoning of the area;
• Volume and intensity;
• Frequentness and duration of the noise; and
• Whether the noise has been enhanced in volume or range by any type of mechanical means, like a megaphone or amplifier.

If you are experiencing neighbor noise and safety is not an issue, the first step is to reach out to your neighbor and politely let them know they are causing a noise disturbance. It is very common that neighbors do not know they are causing a problem and will change their behavior. Review additional tips here. 

If you live in an apartment, condo or deed restricted community and your neighbor continues to make an unreasonable level of noise, contact your building owner, super, HOA or tenant association. Many apartment, condo and deed restricted communities have rules about noise and are obligated to address noisy neighbors.

To report a noise disturbance from a residential neighbor on Monday-Friday, click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information.  

If you are reporting a noise disturbance from a residential neighbor on Friday after 5:00 pm or Saturday/Sunday, please call the Asheville Police Department’s (APD) non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.  

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared.

If your safety is in question, please call 911.

Lawn Equipment Noise

There is no time restriction on when residents can operate lawn equipment in Asheville. However, sound made by lawn equipment is subject to Asheville's noise ordinance and can be deemed a noise disturbance.

The following criteria are used to determine whether sound from lawn equipment constitutes a noise disturbance: 

• Whether the noise occurred during the day or night (10:00 pm - 7:00 am);
• Nature and zoning of the area;
• Volume and intensity;
• Frequentness and duration of the noise; and
• Whether the noise has been enhanced in volume or range by any type of mechanical means, like a megaphone or amplifier.

To report a noise disturbance from lawn equipment click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information. 

Outdoor Event Noise

Whether being hosted on public or private property, outdoor events are subject to Asheville's noise ordinance and can be deemed a noise disturbance.

For outdoor events hosted on private property by a business, the noise ordinance uses a decibel level standard to determine whether a noise ordinance violation exists. These sound level limits are:

 Sound levels are typically measured from a complainant’s property in the proximity of where the sound is being received using the A-weighting scale (dBA) 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.

Outdoor events hosted on public property, like a public park, are subject to the noise disturbance criteria and must comply with noise ordinance conditions listed on their event permit.

To report a noise disturbance from an outdoor event on Monday-Friday, click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information. 

If you are reporting a noise disturbance from an outdoor event on Friday after 5:00 pm or Saturday/Sunday, please call the Asheville Police Department’s (APD) non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.  

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared.

Business Noise

Businesses are responsible for following Asheville's noise ordinance and ensuring that their operations, staff and guests do not cause a noise disturbance.

For sound originating from a business, the noise ordinance uses a decibel level standard to determine whether a noise ordinance violation exists. These sound level limits are:

Sound levels are typically measured from the property where the sound is being received, using the A-weighting scale (dBA) 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.

To report a noise disturbance caused by a business on Monday-Friday, click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information. 

If you are reporting a noise disturbance caused by a business on Friday after 5:00 pm or on Saturday/Sunday, please call the Asheville Police Department’s (APD) non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.  

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared. 

Public Space Noise

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individuals’ freedom of speech, including a wide range of expression. Expression in public places, such as street, parks, and sidewalks, is protected under the First Amendment.

However, protected expression is subject to Asheville's noise ordinance and can be deemed a noise disturbance.

The following criteria are used to determine whether sound originating in a public space constitutes a noise disturbance: 

• Whether the noise occurred during the day or night (10:00 pm - 7:00 am);
• Nature and zoning of the area; 
• Volume and intensity; 
• Frequentness and duration of the noise; and
• Whether the noise has been enhanced in volume or range by any type of mechanical means, like a megaphone or amplifier.

To report a noise disturbance in public space on Monday-Friday, click the "next" button below to file a complaint with the Development Services Department. Staff will follow up with you during business hours (M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; closed public holidays) should they require additional information.

If you are reporting a noise disturbance in public space on Friday after 5:00 pm or Saturday/Sunday, please call the Asheville Police Department’s (APD) non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.  

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared.

Vehicle Exhaust or Vehicle Revving Noise

The following activities are prohibited from causing a noise disturbance in Asheville:

• Operating any motor vehicle with a non-functional or absent muffler-exhaust and/or noise control system; or

• Using unmuffled engine compression brakes except when required due to an emergency driving situation

To report a vehicle noise disturbance, please use the TIP2APD tool or call the Asheville Police Department’s (APD) non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.

Please be advised that APD responds to calls for service based on the severity of the call. Noise ordinance violations have lower priority than other criminal offenses. Officers will respond to noise ordinance complaints once higher priority calls have been cleared. An enforcement officer must witness the violation in order to cite an offender.