Georgetown County, SC Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Georgetown County Code § 13.8-2 makes it unlawful to willfully make or continue any loud, unnecessary and unusual noise that disturbs the peace of an unwilling listener or causes discomfort in the unincorporated county (§ 13.8-2(b)). Subsection (c)(3) specifically bans using a radio, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker or sound amplifier to broadcast sound on the public streets for commercial advertising or to attract attention to a building. Subsection (c)(2) treats operating a radio or amplified device between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so it is plainly audible at 50 feet as prima facie evidence of a violation.

For those amplifying outside music as part of a business or for personal use, § 13.8-2(e) points to Appendix A's decibel guidelines: 60 dB from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 50 dB from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for residential uses, versus 70 dB and 65 dB for public, commercial, industrial or agricultural uses over the same hours. The county describes these levels as a caution rather than a strict enforcement ceiling. Concerts, festivals, parades and athletic events can get a special event permit from county council or the administrator suspending the noise limits for specified activities, dates and times; a permit application must be filed at least 10 days ahead, and events lasting more than one day carry a $25 permit administration fee (§ 13.8-2(f)).

Georgetown County Sheriff's deputies enforce the section (§ 13.8-2(h)), weighing factors like volume, time of day, duration and proximity to residential sleeping areas (§ 13.8-2(d)).