Judge Paul Holcombe III ruled in August 2025 that the ordinance conflicted with North Carolina’s Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. The rules, adopted in December 2023, were intended to address concerns about crime, safety and noise, particularly in the Glenwood South entertainment district. The decision did not end Raleigh’s efforts to address noise and other nightlife concerns. The rules rely on specific decibel limits rather than the previous approach and include separate standards for Glenwood South. The dispute highlights the challenge Raleigh faces in balancing a growing nightlife economy with the concerns of residents who live near entertainment districts.