Simpsonville's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Simpsonville, South Carolina, there are 10 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Quiet Hours

Simpsonville's noise code sets nighttime as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (11:00 p.m. EDT), when noise limits tighten and interior amplified-sound limits drop to 55 dB(A). Any noise substantially interfering with a neighbor's comfort is an unlawful nuisance day or night.

Key details: Night defined as: 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.. Day defined as: 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.. EDT shift: Night starts 11:00 p.m. EDT. Night amplified limit: 55 dB(A) inside citywide. Governing section: Code §§ 18-81, 18-82, 18-90.

First complaint gets a warning; repeat within 24 hours (or after two warnings in 30 days) brings a fine of not less than $50 up to the state maximum, or up to 30 days' jail.

Vehicle Noise

Simpsonville names 'motor vehicle exhausts without mufflers or with inefficient or ineffective mufflers' and loud horns, sirens or signal devices as nuisance noises. Lawfully operating vehicles on public streets are otherwise exempt, deferring to state motor-vehicle law.

Key details: Loud/defective exhaust: Prohibited nuisance. Excessive horn use: Prohibited nuisance. Lawful street driving: Exempt (§ 18-85(5)). Defers to: State/federal vehicle law. Section: Code § 18-84(a)(5),(6).

Muffler and horn noise violating Sec. 18-82 draws the standard warning-first enforcement; repeat violations bring $50-to-state-maximum fines or up to 30 days' jail (Sec. 18-91).

Barking Dogs

Simpsonville Sec. 18-84(b)(1) makes it a nuisance to keep any animal, including a bird, that causes frequent or long-continued noise such as barking, howling or screeching that disturbs a neighbor of ordinary sensibilities. No decibel level is needed to prove the violation.

Key details: Rule: Frequent/continued barking = nuisance. Decibel proof: Not required. Covers: Any animal or bird. Standard: Disturbs ordinary-sensibility neighbor. Section: Code § 18-84(b)(1).

After the required warning, a persistent barking violation brings a fine of not less than $50 up to the state maximum for municipal ordinances, or up to 30 days' imprisonment (Sec. 18-91).

Construction Hours

Construction machinery, heavy equipment and power tools are exempt from Simpsonville's noise rules when operated during daytime hours (7 a.m.–10 p.m.). Operating them at night is prohibited unless the city administrator issues a special permit under Sec. 18-87.

Key details: Daytime construction: Exempt, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.. Nighttime construction: Prohibited without permit. Permit issued by: City administrator (§ 18-87). Chart night level: Asterisk = permit required. Also subject to: Administrative stop orders (§ 18-88).

Nighttime construction noise without a permit is a nuisance under Sec. 18-82; after a warning, repeat violations carry a $50-to-state-maximum fine or up to 30 days' jail, plus possible stop orders.

Leaf Blower Rules

Simpsonville has no leaf-blower-specific ban, but blowers fall under 'domestic yard equipment' and power tools. These are exempt by day (7 a.m.–10 p.m.); at night the Sec. 18-90 chart requires a permit, so nighttime blowing is effectively prohibited.

Key details: Dedicated blower rule: None; covered as yard equipment. Daytime use: Exempt, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.. Day outside limit: 80 dB(A) citywide. Nighttime use: Permit required. Section: Code §§ 18-85, 18-90.

Nighttime yard-equipment noise without a permit is a Sec. 18-82 nuisance; after a warning, fines run $50 to the state maximum, or up to 30 days' jail (Sec. 18-91).

Amplified Music & Events

Simpsonville's noise code names loudspeakers, amplifiers, stereos and 'other devices which enhance or influence the level of sound' as nuisance-capable. The Sec. 18-90 chart caps radios and amplified sound at 70 dB(A) outside by day and 65 dB(A) outside at night citywide.

Key details: Day outside limit: 70 dB(A) citywide. Night outside limit: 65 dB(A) citywide. Night inside limit: 55 dB(A) citywide. Covered devices: Amplifiers, loudspeakers, stereos. Section: Code §§ 18-84(a)(3), 18-90.

Exceeding the chart establishes a prima facie violation, rebuttable by circumstance; after the required warning, fines are $50 to the state maximum or up to 30 days' jail (Sec. 18-91).

Outdoor Music

Outdoor musical instruments and amplified performances fall under Simpsonville's noise chart (70 dB(A) day outside, 65 at night citywide). The downtown Central Business District (C-1) gets higher tolerance under Sec. 18-89, and permitted events are exempt under Sec. 18-87.

Key details: Day outside limit: 70 dB(A) citywide. Night outside limit: 65 dB(A) citywide. Downtown (C-1): Higher tolerance (§ 18-89). Permitted events: Exempt (§ 18-87). Section: Code §§ 18-84, 18-87, 18-89, 18-90.

Outdoor music above the chart is a prima facie nuisance; after a warning, fines run $50 to the state maximum or up to 30 days' jail. A special-event permit can be revoked for excessive noise (Secs. 18-87, 18-91).

Decibel Limits

Simpsonville sets prima facie decibel guidelines in Sec. 18-90. For radios and amplified sound citywide: 70 dB(A) day outside, 65 night outside. Yard/construction equipment: 80 dB(A) day outside. Levels are A-weighted; exceeding them establishes a rebuttable violation.

Key details: Amplified day outside: 70 dB(A) citywide. Amplified night outside: 65 dB(A) citywide. Equipment day outside: 80 dB(A) citywide. Weighting: A-weighted, slow response (ANSI). Section: Code § 18-90.

Exceeding a chart level is a prima facie violation; after the mandatory chance to abate, repeat offenses draw $50-to-state-maximum fines or up to 30 days' jail (Sec. 18-91).

Aircraft Noise

Simpsonville's noise code expressly exempts 'aircraft in flight or in operation at an airport,' provided applicable federal regulations are met. Aircraft noise is governed by the FAA, not city ordinance, so the city sets no local aircraft-noise limit.

Key details: Aircraft noise: Exempt from city code. Governed by: FAA / federal regulation. Condition: Federal compliance required. Also exempt: Railroad operation noise. Section: Code § 18-85(5).

No city penalty applies to exempt aircraft noise; complaints are directed to the FAA or the relevant airport authority rather than Simpsonville code enforcement.

Industrial Noise

Simpsonville has no separate industrial-noise decibel schedule; industrial equipment is governed by the general noise code. Pneumatic drills, jackhammers and compressed-air tools are expressly named as nuisance-capable devices, and zoning of the area is weighed in enforcement.

Key details: Dedicated industrial table: None; general code applies. Named equipment: Pneumatic drills, jackhammers. Zoning weighed: Yes (§ 18-86). Day equipment outside: 80 dB(A) citywide. Section: Code §§ 18-84(a)(4), 18-86.

Industrial noise breaching Sec. 18-82 follows warning-first enforcement; persistent violations bring $50-to-state-maximum fines or up to 30 days' jail, plus possible stop orders and injunctive relief (Secs. 18-88, 18-91).

The Bottom Line

Simpsonville's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Simpsonville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Simpsonville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.