York County, SC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base residential limit
- 60 dB at the lot line
- Industrial daytime (7a-8p)
- Up to 75 dB
- Industrial nighttime (8:01p-6:59a)
- 60 dB
- Construction (6a-9p)
- Capped at 75 dB(A)
- Lawn/garden equipment (6a-9p)
- Capped at 85 dB(A)
- ATVs/boats/jet skis
- 75 dB or 300 ft, closer
- Meter standard
- ANSI Type 2, A-weighting
Summary
York County caps noise from any activity at 60 decibels on or beyond the property line in residentially zoned areas or within 300 feet of a home in any zone. Industrial noise may run up to 75 decibels by day but drops to 60 at night, and permitted construction work is capped at 75 decibels.
(18) Residential areas. In any residentially zoned area or within 300 feet of any residentially occupied structure in any zone, the noise resulting from any activity, whether open or enclosed, shall not exceed 60 decibels at any point on or beyond the lot line. ... (h) In any residentially zoned area or within 300 feet of any residentially occupied structure in any zone, the noise resulting from any industrial activity, whether open or enclosed, shall not exceed 75 decibels at any point on or beyond the lot line between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and/or 60 decibels at any point on or beyond the lot line between the hours of 8:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-49: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 3925, passed 6-16-25).
Full Breakdown
016(B)(18) sets the county's base decibel standard: in any residentially zoned area, or within 300 feet of a residentially occupied structure in any zone, noise from any open or enclosed activity cannot exceed 60 decibels measured on or beyond the lot line. m. window but a higher 85 dB(A) ceiling. Recreational vehicles, ATVs, boats and jet skis under (18)(k) are capped at 75 decibels measured from the nearest residential property or 300 feet, whichever is closer. Other listed exceptions in (18)(a) through (18)(j) cover emergency alert sounds, authorized emergency vehicles, emergency utility or safety restoration work, sanctioned stadium, amphitheater, parade and festival events, permitted historic-reenactment gunfire and pyrotechnic displays inspected by the fire marshal, aircraft and railroad operations, HVAC units, and firing ranges run by public safety agencies.
017(B) requires decibels to be measured on the A-weighting scale with slow response on a Type 2 sound level meter meeting American National Standards Institute specifications, so a citation depends on an actual metered reading rather than an officer's subjective judgment alone.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the applicable decibel ceiling is enforced the same way as any other Chapter 56 noise violation: the offender gets an immediate chance to abate after a public officer's finding, and only a repeat within 90 days becomes a misdemeanor under Section 56.999(A), carrying a fine up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued excess noise a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the residential noise limit in York County?
How loud can construction equipment be?
How does the county measure decibels for a citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
Compare York County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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