Horry County, SC Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Horry County, SC, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- General construction hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Residential subdivision (weekday)
- 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Subdivision Saturday / Sunday
- 8–5 Sat, 9–5 Sun
- Governing section
- Horry County Code 13-32(b)(6)
- Emergency off-hours work
- Code-enforcement permit, 3 days
Summary
In unincorporated Horry County, building construction, demolition, or repair is a prohibited noise except between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Inside a platted major residential subdivision, the window narrows to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. For property located within a platted major residential subdivision, ... 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
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
Section 13-32(b)(6) declares the erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration, or repair of any building outside 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. a prohibited noise. Stricter hours apply in a platted major residential subdivision: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday, and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday. An urgent public-health-and-safety exception allows off-hours work only with a permit from the director of code enforcement, for up to three days, renewable while the emergency continues. Separately, 13-32(b)(7) bars nighttime operation of pile drivers, pneumatic hammers, hoists, and similar equipment (9 p.m.–7 a.m. summer; 7 p.m.–7 a.m. winter). These limits were tightened by Ord. No. 131-2021.
Violations & Fines
Construction-noise violations are misdemeanors enforced by Horry County Police and code enforcement. Under Sec. 1-8 the fine may not exceed $500 or 30 days, or both, with each day a separate offense. Emergency off-hours work needs a code-enforcement permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can contractors work in a Horry County subdivision?
Can construction run at night in an emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Horry County
How Horry County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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