Horry County, SC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial decibel cap
- None
- Covered plants
- Asphalt, concrete, aggregate, paving
- Night ban (summer)
- 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Night ban (winter)
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Exemption
- Govt projects, beach renourishment
Summary
Horry County has no industrial decibel cap, but Section 13-32(b)(9) prohibits nighttime noise from asphalt, concrete, aggregate, and paving-material plants (9 p.m.–7 a.m. in summer, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. in winter). Officers also weigh the area's zoning under 13-33 when judging industrial noise.
The noise emanating from the operation of any permanent or temporary facility that is forming, mixing, combining, or producing asphalt, concrete, aggregate, sand, rock, paving material... between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during daylight saving time or 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during standard time.
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
Industrial and construction-related noise is handled through the general nuisance standard plus specific nighttime rules. Section 13-32(b)(9) declares it a prohibited noise for any permanent or temporary facility forming, mixing, or producing asphalt, concrete, aggregate, sand, rock, or paving material to operate between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during daylight saving time, or 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during standard time. Section 13-35(9) exempts such a plant when operating solely to supply a governmental transportation or facilities project, and exempts beach-renourishment work. When judging other industrial noise, Section 13-33 directs officers to weigh 'the nature and zoning of the area.' There is no fixed dBA property-line limit in the county code.
Violations & Fines
Operating a covered plant during prohibited nighttime hours is a misdemeanor subject to the Sec. 1-8 penalty of up to $500 or 30 days, each day a separate offense. Government-project and beach-renourishment operations are exempt under Sec. 13-35(9).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Horry County limit factory or plant noise?
Are government road-project plants exempt?
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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