Noise Ordinances in Richland County, SC (2026)
8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Richland County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Richland County limits noisy yard equipment like mowers, chainsaws and grinders to the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. under Code Sec. 18-3(c)(2)(ii), while a broader nuisance-noise standard bans any sound plainly audible 50 feet away at any hour if it disturbs others. The Sheriff's Department enforces both, with fines up to $500 per offense.
Nighttime Noise and Quiet Hours in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3(c), (d)
(c) Noise. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be continued, any loud, excessive, unnecessary, or disturbing noise, or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the unincorporated area of the county, except where the activity generating the noise is permitted by l...
Construction Hours
Richland County's noise ordinance sets no separate construction curfew, but domestic power equipment such as saws and grinders is only exempt from the noise rule when operated after 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m. Outside that window it can violate Section 18-3.
Construction and Power Equipment Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3
Noise from domestic power equipment including, but not limited to, chain saws, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated after 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m. are exempt.
Barking Dogs
Richland County prohibits allowing an animal to bark, whine or howl in an excessive, continuous or untimely way that seriously annoys or interferes with neighbors' use of their property. This is enforced under the separate nuisance-animal ordinance, Section 5-8.
Barking Dog and Nuisance Animal Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 5-8
Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, or howl in an excessive, unwarranted, and continuous or untimely fashion, or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.
Leaf Blower Rules
Richland County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Leaf blowers count as domestic power equipment, so they are exempt from the noise rule only when used between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Outside those hours they can violate Section 18-3.
Leaf Blower and Yard Equipment Noise
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3
Noise from domestic power equipment including, but not limited to, chain saws, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated after 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m. are exempt.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Richland County bans vehicle stereos and sound systems that are plainly audible 50 feet away or inside another person's home, under Code Sec. 18-3(b). The rhythmic bass alone counts as a violation even if the melody is not distinguishable. Emergency and public safety vehicles are exempt while on duty. The Sheriff's Department and commissioned code enforcement officers issue citations carrying up to a $500 fine per offense.
Amplified Vehicle Sound Rules in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3(b), (d)
(a) Definition. As used below, plainly audible means any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing facilities. (b) Noise-Amplified sound from vehicles. It shall be 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 ...
Aircraft Noise
Richland County's airport ordinance sets no decibel cap or curfew on aircraft noise. Section 3-37 only requires the county-owned Jim Hamilton - L.B. Owens Airport to maintain and promote voluntary noise abatement procedures for its neighbors, while Section 3-38 separately bans reckless "buzzing," diving, and low-altitude stunt flying that generates the loudest complaints.
Jim Hamilton Airport Aircraft Noise Rules
Light RestrictionsRichland County Code §§ 3-2, 3-37
(Aircraft) noise abatement means those voluntary aircraft operating procedures developed for use in the vicinity of the airport that minimize the environmental effects of aircraft noise. ... The airport shall maintain and promote voluntary noise abatement procedures as a means of promoting harmonious conditions with the airport's neighboring commercial and residential communities.
Decibel Limits
Richland County has no separate industrial-noise or decibel-by-zone ordinance. Commercial and industrial noise in the unincorporated county is judged under the same Section 18-3 plainly-audible-at-50-feet nuisance standard as any other noise, with land-use limits set through zoning.
Industrial and Commercial Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be continued, any loud, excessive, unnecessary, or disturbing noise, or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the unincorporated area of the county.
Vehicle Noise
Richland County makes it unlawful to play a vehicle radio or sound system so loud it is plainly audible 50 feet from the vehicle or inside someone's home. Detecting the rhythmic bass alone is enough to prove a violation under Section 18-3.
Car Stereo and Vehicle Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 18-3
It shall be 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. Additionally, the detection of the rhythmic bass component o...
Noise Ordinances by City in Richland County
1 cities in Richland County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Richland County ordinances
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