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Raleigh prioritizes relationships and voluntary compliance in enforcing updated noise ordinance
Summary
Raleigh officials say the city’s Jan. 1 update to the amplified-sound noise ordinance is enforced through relationship-building and newly created civilian compliance positions, relying on education and measured decibel comparisons rather than routine citations.
Raleigh has leaned on partnerships with nightlife businesses and new civilian compliance officers rather than heavy-handed citations to enforce an updated amplified-sound noise ordinance, city officials said on a City of Raleigh podcast.
"Enforcement is a tool," said Sgt. Joseph Wilkins of the Raleigh Police Department. "What we've done is establish very, very good relationships with our businesses and that has turned into voluntary compliance." Wilkins described routine visits focused on maintaining those relationships rather than "going out to find noise violations."
Noise-ordinance compliance officer Mary Hunt said the compliance team, which began work in March, performs pre-event checks and responds to calls, and that visible, consistent presence has helped businesses accept and self-manage sound limits. "They'll text us, they'll call us if they have questions, if they want us to come in and complete a compliance check prior to one of their events," Hunt said.
City planners and police officials stressed the approach is intended to balance a growing downtown nightlife and residents' quality of life, using education and measurement first and enforcement only when necessary.
