Noise Ordinances in Dorchester County, SC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Dorchester County bans unreasonably loud or disturbing noise under County Code Sec. 28-2 with no fixed decibel limit or quiet hours, judged by character, intensity, and duration. Fireworks are barred 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., and Summerville runs its own noise ordinance.
Dorchester County Noise Rules & Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsDorchester County Code § 28-2
It shall be unlawful for any person to create or allow to continue any unreasonably loud or disturbing, noise within the county. Noise of such a character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual, or of physical discomfort to a person of ordinary sensibilities, or disturbing of the public peace and welfare is strictly prohibited.
Construction Hours
Dorchester County has no separate construction-hours rule; loud work falls under the general noise ordinance, Sec. 28-2. Summerville is specific: Sec. 12-34 bars construction machinery and power tools operated at night unless a permit is obtained.
Dorchester County Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSummerville Code § 12-34(a)(8)
When operated at night, construction machinery, heavy duty equipment used in street repair and maintenance, and domestic and commercial power tools, unless a permit is obtained.
Barking Dogs
Dorchester County declares it unlawful for an animal to bark, whine or howl in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion that interferes with a neighbor's use and enjoyment of their property, under County Code § 4-9(a)(5). The animal control officer can order the owner to confine the animal, and ignoring that order is a separate violation carrying its own fine.
Dorchester County Barking Dog Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsDorchester County Code § 4-9
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance or a nuisance to neighbors. By way of example and not of limitation, the following acts or actions of an owner, harborer or possessor of an animal are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and are, therefore, unlawful:...(5)Allowing or permitting an animal to ...
Leaf Blower Rules
Dorchester County has no leaf-blower rule; daytime use is unrestricted under the general noise standard, Sec. 28-2. Summerville restricts power tools only at night. HOA landscaping rules are usually the real limit.
Dorchester County Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsDorchester County Code § 28-2
It shall be unlawful for any person to create or allow to continue any unreasonably loud or disturbing, noise within the county.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Dorchester County requires no party permit; amplified music that disturbs neighbors violates Sec. 28-2. Summerville's Sec. 12-34 specifically names loudspeakers, amplifiers, and high-performance bass speakers as nuisance noise, with special downtown-district rules.
Dorchester County Amplified Music & Event Noise
Some RestrictionsSummerville Code § 12-34(a)(3)
Loudspeakers, amplifiers or other devices which enhance or influence the level of sound in any way or vibrations emanating from high performance bass speakers which affect the environment.
Decibel Limits
Dorchester County caps noise at the property line by use type: 90 dB for industrial and warehousing, 80 dB for general commercial, 70 dB for offices and mid/high-density residential, and 60 dB for low-density residential and agricultural land, with a 10 dB nighttime cut.
Dorchester County Noise Decibel Limits by Use
Some RestrictionsDorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13) § 13.1.2
13.1.2 Noise (a) No noise above such level shall be generated by a use that is objectionable with respect to intermittence, beat, frequency, or shrillness. To accomplish this, the following maximum standards shall apply. (1) Industrial, mining, timbering, transportation, and warehousing uses: 90 dB. (2) General commercial uses, unless specified otherwise: 80 dB. (3) Professional and personal se...
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