10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Charleston County, excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable sound plainly audible within 500 feet of a residential property line, or above 70 dBA, is prohibited under the county's Livability chapter. Enforcement is heaviest overnight (roughly 10 p.m.-7 a.m.).
Charleston County Code § 3-43 (Ord. 2231, 2022)
Any excessive, unnecessary, or unreasonable sound that is plainly audible within 500 feet of the property line of a residentially developed Parcel or above 70 dBA is prohibited.
Charleston County's Livability chapter sets no dedicated construction-hours window. Jobsite noise is governed by the general excessive-noise rule (Section 3-43): sound plainly audible within 500 feet of a residential property line or above 70 dBA can be cited, so early-morning or overnight work is where complaints land.
Charleston County's Livability chapter prohibits excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable animal sound that endangers people or animals or annoys a reasonable person. Sustained nuisance barking — commonly barking more than about five minutes within any one-hour period — can be cited.
Charleston County Code Ch. 3 (Livability, Ord. 2231, 2022)
Excessive, unnecessary, or unreasonable animal sound that endangers humans or animals, or annoys a reasonable person, is prohibited.
Charleston County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance for the unincorporated area. Leaf blowers, mowers and yard equipment fall under the general Livability noise rule (Section 3-43): sound plainly audible within 500 feet of a residence or above 70 dBA can be cited.
In unincorporated Charleston County it is unlawful to play amplified music or sound so that it is plainly audible within any neighbor's residential dwelling. Detecting the rhythmic bass alone is enough to count as plainly audible, so booming bass through walls is a violation.
Charleston County Code § 3-42 (Ord. 2231, 2022)
It is unlawful for any person to play, operate, or cause to be played or operated any radio or other music or sound amplification or reproduction equipment upon real property in such a manner as to be plainly audible within any residential dwelling of another. The detection of the rhythmic bass component of the music or sound is sufficient to constitute a plainly audible sound.
Aircraft noise is not regulated by Charleston County's Livability ordinance. Aircraft and airport operations are governed by the FAA and the airport authorities (Charleston International / Charleston Executive), so county noise citations do not apply to planes overhead.
Charleston County's Livability chapter has no separate industrial decibel schedule; industrial and commercial noise is judged against the same Section 3-43 standard — excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable sound above 70 dBA or plainly audible within 500 feet of a residential property line.
Charleston County's Livability chapter caps residential-area noise at 70 dBA: Section 3-43 prohibits any excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable sound above 70 dBA, or plainly audible within 500 feet of a residentially developed property line, whichever is triggered first.
Charleston County Code § 3-43 (Ord. 2231, 2022)
Any excessive, unnecessary, or unreasonable sound that is plainly audible within 500 feet of the property line of a residentially developed Parcel or above 70 dBA is prohibited.
Outdoor and live music in unincorporated Charleston County must not be plainly audible within a neighbor's residential dwelling (Section 3-42) or exceed the general 70 dBA / 500-foot residential standard (Section 3-43). Detecting only the rhythmic bass is enough for a violation.
Charleston County makes it unlawful to play vehicular music or sound amplification so that it is plainly audible at 50 feet from the vehicle or within a neighbor's residential dwelling. Loud, revving or modified-exhaust engine noise that disturbs the peace is also prohibited.
Charleston County Code § 3-41 (Ord. 2231, 2022)
It is unlawful for any person to play, operate, or cause to be played or operated any radio or other vehicular music or sound amplification or reproduction equipment in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the vehicle or plainly audible within the residential dwelling of another.
2 cities in Charleston County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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