10 rules for unincorporated Horry County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Horry County, playing a radio, stereo, instrument, or other sound device between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so it is audible 50 feet away is prohibited under Code Sec. 13-32. At all hours, excessive or unusually loud noise that disturbs others is unlawful.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(2)
The operation of such set, instrument, machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet shall be prohibited unless operated in an established amusement theme park subject to the provisions of section 13-35.
In unincorporated Horry County, building construction, demolition, or repair is a prohibited noise except between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Inside a platted major residential subdivision, the window narrows to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(6)
The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. For property located within a platted major residential subdivision, ... 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Horry County does not put a barking dog under its general noise chapter but under its animal code. Section 4-3 makes it unlawful for an owner to let any animal create a public nuisance, which expressly includes creating excessive noise. Persistent barking can be cited to the owner.
Horry County Code § 4-3(c)
No person owning, harboring, keeping in possession, or having custody or control of any animal shall permit such animal to create a public nuisance. Public nuisance shall include, but not be limited to, the following: creating excessive noise; molesting people; chasing vehicles...
Horry County has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance and generally exempts lawn-maintenance equipment from the noise article. However, Section 13-32(b)(7) prohibits nighttime operation of lawn-maintenance equipment (roughly 9 p.m.–7 a.m. in summer, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. in winter). Daytime yard work is not restricted.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(7)
The operation between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during daylight saving time, and the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during standard time, of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist, lawn maintenance equipment, or other construction or demolition equipment...
In unincorporated Horry County, amplified music from radios, instruments, and loudspeakers cannot disturb neighbors, and after 11:00 p.m. cannot be audible 50 feet away. Section 13-32(b)(3) separately bans broadcasting amplified sound over public streets for commercial advertising.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(3)
The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated, any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound which is broadcast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public to any building or structure.
Horry County sets no aircraft-noise ordinance. Aircraft operations, flight paths, and noise near Myrtle Beach International Airport are regulated by the FAA under federal law, which preempts local noise rules. The county noise chapter governs ground activities, not aircraft in flight.
Horry County has no industrial decibel cap, but Section 13-32(b)(9) prohibits nighttime noise from asphalt, concrete, aggregate, and paving-material plants (9 p.m.–7 a.m. in summer, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. in winter). Officers also weigh the area's zoning under 13-33 when judging industrial noise.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(9)
The noise emanating from the operation of any permanent or temporary facility that is forming, mixing, combining, or producing asphalt, concrete, aggregate, sand, rock, paving material... between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during daylight saving time or 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during standard time.
Horry County's noise ordinance does not set numeric decibel limits. Section 13-33 directs enforcement officers to use judgment and weigh factors such as volume, time of day, duration, zoning, and proximity to homes to decide whether a noise unreasonably disturbs others.
Horry County Code § 13-33(a)
In the enforcement of standards established in this article, an enforcement officer may be required to exercise judgment and/or discretion in determining if a particular noise annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others and is in violation of this article...
Outdoor concerts, festivals, or fairs expected to draw 500 or more people in unincorporated Horry County require a county special-event permit under Section 13-34. Established amusement theme parks may run scheduled outdoor shows until 11:00 p.m. (12:30 a.m. on listed holidays) under Section 13-35(8).
Horry County Code § 13-35(8)
Noise emanating from regularly scheduled daily musical shows and concerts in established amusement theme parks prior to 11:00 p.m. On the following holidays the exemption is extended until 12:30 a.m.: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Horry County Code 13-32 bans discharging a vehicle, motorcycle, or engine exhaust into the open air except through an effective muffler, and prohibits unnecessary horn or signaling-device use. South Carolina law (S.C. Code 56-5-4970) also requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler with no cutout or bypass.
Horry County Code § 13-32(b)(5)
The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
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