Beaufort County, SC Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 6-99, noise abatement
- Climb requirement
- Runway heading to 1,000 MSL before turning
- Night goal
- Minimize takeoffs 11 p.m.-7 a.m. daily
- Sunday goal
- Minimize takeoffs 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Enforcing office
- Beaufort County Airports Director
Summary
Beaufort County requires departing aircraft at Hilton Head Island Airport to fly a noise-abatement climb before turning off the runway heading, protecting nearby noise-sensitive neighborhoods, and separately directs operators to minimize most takeoffs during set night and Sunday hours under Code of Ordinances §§ 6-99 and 6-102.
In the interest of noise sensitive areas near Hilton Head Island Airport, an aircraft shall climb on the runway heading, at the best angle of climb to 1,000 MSL or higher, before turning on course, or as directed by the tower.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 Update 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-99, part of the airport operations rules for Hilton Head Island Airport in Chapter 6, Division 2, requires that in the interest of noise sensitive areas near the airport, a departing aircraft climb on the runway heading at its best angle of climb to 1,000 MSL or higher before turning on course, unless the tower directs otherwise. The requirement traces to Ord. No. 2005/30 (Aug. 8, 2005) and Code 1982 § 3-14(d), and it sits alongside related procedural rules: rotary-wing aircraft under § 6-100 must follow the same § 6-99 departure procedure, and § 6-101 bars aircraft heavier than 75,000 pounds dual-wheel loading (55,000 pounds single-wheel) except in emergencies or with the airports director's approval, further limiting the county's noisiest traffic.
on Sundays, and fixed-base operators must post signs asking pilots to cooperate. These are county airport-operations rules administered by the airports director rather than a residential quiet-hours ordinance; they bind pilots and operators using county-owned Hilton Head Island Airport property and do not apply to the county's separate Lady's Island Airport, which has its own noise-abatement climb procedure under § 6-131(e).
Violations & Fines
Chapter 6 does not attach a stated criminal fine to noise-abatement noncompliance; the airports director enforces §§ 6-99 and 6-102 through airport operating authority, including restricting field privileges for noncompliant fixed-base operators, and can involve the FAA for pilots who disregard tower instructions or Class D airspace procedures tied to the same noise-sensitive departure corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a curfew banning night flights at Hilton Head Island Airport?
What must a departing pilot do to abide by the county's noise-abatement rule?
Does this noise rule apply anywhere besides Hilton Head Island Airport?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaufort County
Compare Beaufort County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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