Noise Ordinances in North Charleston, SC (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for North Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Barking Dogs
A dog or other animal that repeatedly barks, howls, or whines loud enough to disturb neighbors counts as a public nuisance animal under North Charleston's animal control code.
North Charleston Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances § 4-2(4)
Any animal that makes disturbing noises, including but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining, or other utterances causing unreasonable annoyance, disturbance, or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored;(5)Any animal that causes fouling of the air by noxious or offensive odors and thereby creates unreaso...
Leaf Blower Rules
North Charleston bans gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers within 300 feet of a residence between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., naming them as an example of unreasonably loud and disturbing noise under the city's general noise ordinance. The broader ban on unreasonable noise applies citywide at any time of day, and violators face the code's general fine of up to $500 or thirty days in jail.
North Charleston Leaf Blower Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances § 13-126(a)
(a)Non-amplified sound. It shall be unlawful for any person to create, assist in creating, permit, continue or permit the continuance of any unreasonably loud and disturbing or unnecessary noise in the city at any time of day. Unreasonable or disturbing noises as governed by this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, the operation of gas powered lawn mowers, gas powered leaf blowe...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
North Charleston bans music in outdoor seating and outdoor bar areas at commercial establishments after 11 p.m., on top of the amplified-sound permit and decibel limits that already apply to the business.
North Charleston Outdoor Music Curfew
Significant RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances § 13-126(c)
No music is permitted in outdoor seating and or outdoor bar areas after 11:00 p.m. Sound levels shall be measured at the property line of the complainant's residentially zoned or occupied property. Sound level may be measured from any point within the interior of the complainant's residentially occupied unit if multiple units are located on the same parcel.
Decibel Limits
North Charleston sets a five-tier decibel schedule for commercial sound and live music, from 75 dB on weekday afternoons down to 60 dB overnight and on unlisted days.
North Charleston Commercial Noise Decibel Table
Significant RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances § 13-126(c)(1)-(5)
it shall be unlawful for any commercial establishment...to allow on premise the operation of sound amplification equipment or live music...that creates sound registering in excess of:(1)75 dB Sunday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.;(2)65 dB Sunday through Thursday between 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following day;(3)80 dB Friday or Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; or(4)...
Vehicle Noise
North Charleston bans unreasonably loud, excessive or unusual noise from a motor vehicle's operation on any city street under section 13-127 of the Code of Ordinances. The rule covers stereo, exhaust, engine and muffler noise generally rather than setting a decibel limit, and because it regulates vehicle use on public roads, officers enforce it through the state traffic-ticket process rather than the city's ordinance-summons system.
North Charleston Vehicle Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances § 13-127
Except as required by law, it shall be unlawful for any person in the operation of a motor vehicle to cause, suffer or allow any unreasonably loud, excessive or unusual noise in the operation or use of such motor vehicle upon any of the streets of the city.
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement North Charleston city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Charleston County →