Spartanburg County, SC Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Aircraft exemption
- §30-27(5) exempts properly equipped aircraft
- Scale-model carve-out
- Model aircraft not exempt, still regulated
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 30 days jail
- Prior warning
- Written warning usually required first (§30-32(b))
- Jurisdiction
- Applies only in unincorporated county
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 556, effective March 13, 1995
Summary
Spartanburg County's noise ordinance exempts "sound from operations of properly equipped aircraft" under Code § 30-27(5), but that same subsection strips the exemption from scale model aircraft, which stay fully subject to the article. County Council adopted the carve-out in 1995 alongside exemptions for trains, emergency vehicles and permitted public events.
In accordance with section 30-26 hereof, the following sounds are not restricted by this article and not subject to the provisions of this article:
(1)Sound from outdoor athletic events and lawful hunting.(2)Sound of emergency vehicles, safety signals, warning devices, pressure relief valves, farm equipment, actual or electronic church bells and chimes.(3)Sound from parades, lawful picketing or other public demonstrations protected by the Constitution or other laws.(4)Sound from public affairs conducted or permitted by Spartanburg County.(5)Sound from operations of properly equipped aircraft. However, this subsection does not include or apply to scale model aircraft. Scale model aircraft are subject to the provisions of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
C. 2)'s power to enjoin nuisances creating excessive noise. Section 30-27 then lists thirteen categories of sound the article does not reach, and subsection (5) covers "operations of properly equipped aircraft," while carving scale model aircraft back into full coverage: "this subsection does not include or apply to scale model aircraft. " Everything not on that exclusions list falls under Section 30-28's ban on "unreasonably loud and unseemly noise which disturbs the peace and quiet" in the unincorporated county. Before most violations can be charged, Section 30-32(b) requires a law enforcement or other county official to first give the owner or operator a written warning to abate or reduce the noise; only the offenses under Sections 30-29, 30-30 and 30-31(b) skip that step because the violator is presumed to already know the conduct is unlawful.
00 or up to 30 days in jail, and "each violation shall constitute a separate offense," so a drone or model-aircraft operator who ignores repeated warnings can be cited again for every distinct occurrence. The exemption applies only within the unincorporated area of the county under Section 30-62; Spartanburg, Greer, Duncan and the county's other municipalities enforce their own separate noise codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 30-28's general noise ban, including unexempted scale-model-aircraft noise, is a misdemeanor under Section 30-35: a fine up to $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each occurrence charged as a separate offense. Except for the automatic-violation categories in Sections 30-29, 30-30 and 30-31(b), Section 30-32(b) requires a prior written warning from a law enforcement or other county official before charges can be filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spartanburg County's noise ordinance cover airplane noise?
Are model airplanes and drones exempt the same way?
What happens if I'm cited for illegal noise under this article?
Do I get a warning before being charged?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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