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Raleigh is once again asking nightlife establishments to keep it down. Just one year after the previous update, City Council amended noise ordinance rules in January.
Known as the “Turn Down the Sound” ordinance, the amendments require those who receive citations to lower their volume immediately—and amplify the city’s authority. If the offenders don’t comply, the City can now issue a second citation promptly, doubling the fine—and all noise citation appeals go directly to the city manager, giving full discretion to the city, rather than the legal system.
Also once cited, establishments must move all amplified sound inside for 24 hours. Met with widespread outrage from district bargoers, the public outcry from bar owners in Glenwood South has been far louder—and lawsuits against the city are imminent.
“RPD and our attorney’s office shared general concerns about the inability to enforce the ordinance due to the prior penalties,” elaborates At-Large Councilmember Jonathan Melton. “The attorney gave us a few options to consider, and we approved moving forward with the options [earlier this year].”
2024 addresses cited*:
- 304 Glenwood Ave. (Devolve): 12
- 403 Glenwood Ave (Split + Karma Nights): 12
- 300 Glenwood Ave. (Tin Roof): 13
- 222 Glenwood Ave. (Wonderland): 15
- 410 Glenwood Ave. (Pine State Public House + Milk Bar): 29
- 610 Glenwood Ave. (Dogwood Bar and Eatery): 35
- 616 Glenwood Ave. (The Village Nightlife Complex): 84
- 603 Glenwood Ave. (Cornerstone Tavern): 88
*Includes establishments with 12 or more complaints; data provided by RPD
According to the N&O, an attorney representing some nightlife establishments affected called the updates “constitutionally dubious” and says it “effectively shutters” businesses, resulting in the loss of tax revenue for the city.
In terms of the city’s motivation for making the modifications: RPD reported 346 total noise complaints at 37 locations in Glenwood South last year alone. A whopping 288 of those were targeted to just eight locales, and only two bars—Cornerstone Tavern and The Village Nightlife Complex—were allegedly responsible for 172, just about half of the total complaints.
While speculation is swirling surrounding the city’s perceived attempt to gain control of a few problem children with these ordinance updates, Melton tells Raleigh Magazine this wasn’t targeted—and it wasn’t aimed only at Glenwood South. So, although allegedly not directed at specific repeat offenders, the updates clearly give the city far more authority—and at least potentially force the entertainment district to tread a little lighter.
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