Horry County, SC Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Horry County, SC, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- 500+ attendees
- Governing section
- Horry County Code 13-34
- Application lead time
- 90 days, $250 fee
- Theme-park music cutoff
- 11 p.m. (12:30 a.m. holidays)
- Max permit length
- 10 consecutive days
Summary
Outdoor concerts, festivals, or fairs expected to draw 500 or more people in unincorporated Horry County require a county special-event permit under Section 13-34. Established amusement theme parks may run scheduled outdoor shows until 11:00 p.m. (12:30 a.m. on listed holidays) under Section 13-35(8).
Noise emanating from regularly scheduled daily musical shows and concerts in established amusement theme parks prior to 11:00 p.m. On the following holidays the exemption is extended until 12:30 a.m.: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Larger outdoor music events are regulated through the special-event permit in Section 13-34. A 'special event' includes outdoor musical concerts, festivals, fairs, carnivals, or rallies expected to have 500 or more people at one time. Applicants apply to the police department at least 90 days out with a $250 non-refundable administrative fee, then pay $100 per event day; permits last no more than 10 consecutive days. Section 13-35(8) exempts noise from regularly scheduled daily musical shows and concerts in established amusement theme parks before 11:00 p.m., extended to 12:30 a.m. on eleven listed holidays. Special concerts and pyrotechnic displays are not exempt unless a special-event permit is issued.
Violations & Fines
Holding a qualifying outdoor event without a permit exposes organizers and the property owner to the Sec. 1-8 penalty (up to $500 or 30 days) plus liability for public-safety costs. Police may shut it down; business licenses can be revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an outdoor concert in Horry County?
How late can theme-park concerts run?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Horry County
Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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