Noise Ordinances in Lexington County, SC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Lexington County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Lexington County bans loud, unnecessary and unusual noise that disturbs the peace of any residential area, incorporated or unincorporated, or annoys someone there. Instead of a fixed curfew, Sec. 26-32(a) has courts weigh factors including the time of day, the noise's intensity, and prior complaints; violations are a misdemeanor enforced by county sheriff's deputies.
Lexington County Unreasonable Noise Ordinance
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances § 26-32(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person within the unincorporated areas of the county to willfully make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary and unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any unincorporated or incorporated residential area or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any person in any unincorporated or incorporated residential area of the coun...
Construction Hours
Lexington County doesn't cap general construction noise by the clock, construction, grading, and demolition activity is exempt from the zoning ordinance's decibel limits, but on-site grinding or recycling of construction debris is restricted to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and must wrap up within 60 days.
Lexington County Limits Construction Debris Grinding Hours
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Zoning Ordinance §§ 21.21.i, 24.14.d (Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)
[§ 21.21.i] Temporary construction, grading, and/or demolition activities which are necessary and incidental to the development or maintenance of a principal activity, utilities, or public infrastructure. The on-site grinding/recycling of construction debris shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and shall be completed within 60 days of the initial construction, with the exc...
Barking Dogs
Lexington County treats a dog that habitually barks or makes 'loud or objectionable sounds' as a public nuisance, and it's unlawful for an owner to keep one on their property. Animal Services enforces the ban, and a violation is a misdemeanor punishable in magistrate's court.
Lexington County's Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances §§ 10-31, 10-34(g), 10-44
Public nuisance means any dog found at-large or making loud or objectionable sounds. ... (g)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep upon their premises any dog that is deemed a public nuisance. Any person reporting a violation of subsection (g), must identify himself to the animal control officer and must sign a public nuisance log. ... Sec. 10-44. - Penalty for violation of article. The vi...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Lexington County bans loud, unnecessary music and noise that disturbs residential peace, with no fixed decibel meter: officers weigh intensity, time, and location instead.
Lexington County Loud Music Ban
Some RestrictionsLexington County Code § 26-32(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person within the unincorporated areas of the county to willfully make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary and unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any unincorporated or incorporated residential area or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any person... This noise shall include, but not be limited to, noises made by...
Decibel Limits
Lexington County's zoning ordinance caps steady noise at 75 decibels next to Restrictive Development Districts and grandfathered residential uses, and at 85 decibels next to Intensive Development Districts. Impact sounds may reach 85 and 95 decibels in those same districts, and every limit drops by 5 decibels between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Lexington County Maximum Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances, Appendix B Zoning Ordinance § 24.13
Any operation or land use activity shall not create, assist in creating, permit, or permit the continuance of any noise in excess of 75 decibels (dB) for adjacent Restrictive Development Districts and adjacent grandfathered residential uses or any noise in excess of 85 decibels (dB) for adjacent Intensive Development Districts. Impact sounds shall not exceed 85 decibels (dB) for adjacent Restri...
Vehicle Noise
Lexington County bans loud, unnecessary vehicle noise that disturbs a residential area, and it specifically tells courts to weigh whether a car or motorboat carries a factory-level muffler when deciding a case. Section 26-32 covers the ban; violating it is a misdemeanor enforced by the sheriff's deputies.
Lexington County's Vehicle Muffler Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances § 26-32(a)(6)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person within the unincorporated areas of the county to willfully make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary and unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any unincorporated or incorporated residential area or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any person in any unincorporated or incorporated residential area of the c...
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