Noise Ordinances in Oconee County, SC (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Oconee County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Oconee County bars construction machinery and power-tool noise between 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. under Section 12-34(a)(8), unless the county administrator issues a nighttime work permit. The same equipment is affirmatively exempt from the noise ordinance during daytime hours, 7:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m.
Oconee County Nighttime Noise Curfew
Significant RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 12-34(a)(8), 12-37(b)
(8)When operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., construction machinery, heavy duty equipment, used in street repair and maintenance, domestic and commercial power tools, and the like, unless a permit is obtained. ... (b)Construction or maintenance operations. The county administrator or his designee may issue a permit exempting specific construction, solid waste pickup arrangeme...
Construction Hours
Construction machinery, heavy-duty equipment and power tools are exempt from Oconee County's noise ordinance between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m., but running that same equipment between 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. is a declared nuisance unless a permit has been obtained first.
Oconee County Construction Noise Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 12-34(a)(8), 12-35(2)
Nuisance noises shall include, but not be limited to, the use or operation of the following instruments, devices, or pieces of equipment when operated in the manner prohibited by section 12-32: ... (8)When operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., construction machinery, heavy duty equipment, used in street repair and maintenance, domestic and commercial power tools, and the like,...
Barking Dogs
An animal, including a bird, that makes frequent or long-continued noise such as barking, howling or screeching and disturbs a neighbor's comfort and repose is a declared nuisance in unincorporated Oconee County, regardless of how loud a meter says it is. No decibel reading is required to cite the owner.
Oconee County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 12-32, 12-34(b)(1)
Any noise of such character, intensity, or duration which substantially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of persons of ordinary sensibilities occupying, owning, or controlling nearby properties or of persons making use of public properties for their intended purposes, is hereby declared to be unlawful and to be a nuisance, and is prohibited. ... Continuous or repeated noises. Regardles...
Leaf Blower Rules
Leaf blowers and other lawn and yard maintenance equipment are exempt from Oconee County's noise ordinance between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. The exemption also covers tree harvesting or clearing and explosives used for construction and land clearing, but it leaves work outside that window subject to the general nuisance rule.
Oconee County Yard Maintenance Noise Hours
Light RestrictionsOconee County Code § 12-35(8)
The following noises shall be exempt from the prohibitions of section 12-32: ... Additionally, this article does not apply to noise between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. which emanates from lawn and yard maintenance activities, tree harvesting or clearing, or explosives for construction and land clearing.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Radios, stereos, loudspeakers and amplifiers that substantially interfere with a neighbor's comfortable enjoyment of their property are a declared nuisance under Oconee County's noise ordinance. A measurement of 70 decibels or more between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m., or 60 decibels or more overnight, is a prima facie violation, and even lower readings can still support a citation.
Oconee County Amplified Sound Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 12-32, 12-34(a)(2)-(3), 12-39(a)
Any noise of such character, intensity, or duration which substantially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of persons of ordinary sensibilities occupying, owning, or controlling nearby properties or of persons making use of public properties for their intended purposes, is hereby declared to be unlawful and to be a nuisance, and is prohibited. ... Nuisance noises shall include, but not b...
Decibel Limits
Unincorporated Oconee County sets a hard decibel ceiling under Section 12-39: a measured noise level above 70 dB(A) between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m., or above 60 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., is a prima facie nuisance violation, measured with an ANSI-standard sound meter.
Oconee County Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code § 12-39(a)
(a)A prima facie violation of section 12-32 shall be established whenever a measurement of the offending noise shall be taken in accordance with this article and shown to produce a level of noise in excess of 70 decibels ("dB(A)") between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. or in excess of 60 ("dB(A)") between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. Any sound exceeding such levels is hereby decl...
Vehicle Noise
Driving a vehicle without an effective muffler, or revving the engine with rapid throttle advancing, is a declared noise nuisance anywhere in unincorporated Oconee County. Unlike most noise complaints, officers do not need a citizen complaint first: they can charge a driver for vehicle noise on their own observation.
Oconee County Vehicle Muffler Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 12-32, 12-34(a)(6), 12-40(a)
Any noise of such character, intensity, or duration which substantially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of persons of ordinary sensibilities occupying, owning, or controlling nearby properties or of persons making use of public properties for their intended purposes, is hereby declared to be unlawful and to be a nuisance, and is prohibited. ... Nuisance noises shall include, but not b...
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