This video records a Rowan County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 2nd, 2025. The meeting covers various agenda items, including public comment, budget approval, zoning requests, noise ordinance considerations, and board appointments. Significant public discussion focuses on the need for youth programs and addressing community concerns.
The discussion regarding the Rowan County noise ordinance begins at 1:00:04 and concludes around 1:24:09. County staff member Ed presents a review of the current ordinance, proposed changes, and relevant data on noise complaints received in 2024. The commissioners then engage in a discussion about potential amendments.
Current Ordinance (Summary by Ed): The existing ordinance, adopted in 2001, is simple, regulating only amplified sound. It's unlawful to operate sound amplification equipment that creates unreasonable, frequent, and continued noise that annoys or disturbs the public. Enforcement depends on an officer's judgment of audibility at a 100-foot distance. It applies 24/7, with exceptions for safety signals, church bells, parades, and certain events. Fines are $100, $200, and $300 for first, second, and subsequent offenses, respectively. Permits to exceed noise limits exist for planned events.
Data Presented (Ed): In 2024, the most frequent complaints received by Rowan Telecommunications were gunshots (more between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.), followed by loud music (amplified noise). Other complaints included construction noise, ATVs/motorcycles, loud vehicles, weed eaters, dog barking, and explosions/tannerite use (concentrated between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.).
Proposed Changes (Ed): Based on the data and staff discussions, Ed proposes several amendments:
Tannerite: Outlawing the discharge of tannerite (explosives). Commissioner Green immediately supports this, suggesting outlawing its discharge, even if not the sale.
Time Restrictions: Restricting amplified noise to certain hours. The board grapples with defining specific quiet hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m. is suggested), considering whether this should be uniform across the week or vary by day, and the impact on enforcement by the Sheriff's Office. A desire is expressed for simplicity and consistency in enforcement, which favors uniform hours.
Penalties: Increasing penalties for violations. The current fines ($100, $200, $300) are proposed to increase ($250, $500, $1000 for a third offense within seven days). A first offense may include a warning before fines.
Definitions: Updating definitions of "athletic event" and "sports facility" to clarify what constitutes an exception, leaning towards focusing on school events. A discussion ensues on the issue of rodeos, popup rodeos, and events which blur the line between entertainment and athletic competition.
Permit to Exceed: Maintaining the existing permit system to allow for amplified sound beyond quiet hours.
Commissioners' General Direction: Commissioners express a willingness to address concerns about noise pollution, especially from tannerite and late-night disturbances. There's a preference for a simpler ordinance with clearer time restrictions and stricter penalties, especially to address repeat offenders. They emphasize the need for the ordinance to be practical for enforcement by the Sheriff's office. They acknowledge the need to balance noise restrictions with the realities of rural life, including agricultural practices and hunting. Concerns are raised about hunting restrictions and the impact on farmers protecting livestock. While the specifics are still debated, the commissioners generally favor a more restrictive, but fair and enforceable, ordinance than the current one. The final decision is deferred to allow Ed to refine proposals based on the board's feedback, and a courtesy hearing to follow before final approval.
