Pender County Commissioners adopt change to county noise ordinance

Ordinance amendment adds specific language to prohibit dirt bikes

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Board of Commissioner adopted a change to its noise ordinance this week that’s garnering some contention. 

Commissioners voted 3-2 to adopt the amendment that includes new language to prohibit driving “dirt bikes” on private property that are louder than 70 decibels from the neighbor’s property line. 

The change came in response to resident complaints about Salty Acres Adventure Park, an Airbnb and motor park off Carl Meeks Road. 

Commissioner Randy Burton voted against the change along with Brad George. He says he felt the change was too broad. 

“At the end of the day, it was a little too broad and it was a little too open-ended,” he said. “While I want you to have peace and tranquility on your property, yet then again, I don’t want to be stepping in as a government official to tell your neighbor what they can do on their property.” 

Commissioners who voted in favor of the measures—including commissioner Brent Springer—say the change was meant to make the noise ordinance more precise in language. 

“Commissioner George had stated that this had been going on for two years and no decision had been made. I believed it was time to make a decision,” Springer said. 

Commissioner Jimmy Tate also voted in favor but says he plans to revisit the ordinance in the future. 

“Now that we have heard from a lot of other people, I as one commissioner plan to bring this issue back up very soon to be revisited and see ways we can make it better for everyone,” he said.

Commissioner Jerry Groves told WWAY in a statement that he would also be interested in revisiting language in the ordinance. 

“I will be asking the board to change to 75db at location and 100 away and add ‘any continuous loud offensive noise that disturbs the peaceful enjoyment of another’s property’’ shall be prohibited and subject to fines if continued.” 

WWAY received a statement from Salty Acres owner Chad Nichols that reads: 

“We purchased our property and built our business in full reliance on Pender County’s zoning laws and a written confirmation from the Zoning Administrator that our operation was fully legal. We invested our life savings based on that assurance. 

Throughout this process, we’ve kept an open line of communication with our neighbors—and we’re grateful that the overwhelming majority have been supportive and collaborative. Unfortunately, a small handful have been unwilling to work together, and now the rest of the county is seeing just how far they’re willing to go. 

This amended noise ordinance clearly targets our legally established business and property rights, and punishes residents countywide in the process. We’re committed to defending our rights and standing up for fairness and transparency in our local government.”