Mount Pleasant, SC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 60 dB(A) or 60 dB(C)
- Evening limit
- 55 dB(A) or 55 dB(C)
- Daytime hours
- 8am-9pm (8am-10pm Fri/Sat/holidays)
- Evening hours
- 9pm-8am (10pm-8am Fri/Sat/holidays)
- Measured from
- Complainant's property line
- Enforcing agency
- Mount Pleasant Police Department
Summary
The Town of Mount Pleasant caps ambient sound with hard numbers. Town Code § 132.03(C) makes it unlawful to exceed 60 dB(A) or 60 dB(C) during daytime hours and 55 dB(A) or 55 dB(C) during evening hours, measured with a sound level meter from the complaining property's line.
(C) Maximum decibel levels. (1) Unless otherwise specifically indicated, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the emission of sound from any source or sources that, when measured pursuant to division (B) above, to exceeds 60 dB(A) or 60 dB(C) during daytime hours and 55 dB(A) or 55 dB(C) during evening hours. DAYTIME HOURS shall be defined as 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and federal and state holidays. EVENING HOURS shall be defined as 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and federal and state holidays.
Full Breakdown
03(C)(1). Any source that exceeds 60 dB(A) or 60 dB(C) during daytime hours, or 55 dB(A) or 55 dB(C) during evening hours, is unlawful. m. m. on the extended weekend and holiday schedule. Division (B) governs how the Mount Pleasant Police Department or other designated town authority measures a violation: a sound level meter reading is taken from the complainant's property line, or from the nearest public right-of-way boundary if a property-line reading is not possible, with no one but the meter operator within ten feet of the instrument during the sample.
Under (C)(2), the operator may rely on a reasonable average of sustained noise and may stop taking readings once a violation is already shown. Division (C)(3) adds a duty for commercial properties bordering residential land: they must run equipment to manufacturer's specifications and keep standard noise-reducing equipment in proper working order. 03 violation.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the § 132.03(C) decibel caps is punishable under § 132.03(H) by a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, capped at the penalty state law sets for a comparable offense. Each day the excessive sound continues is a separate offense, so an ongoing loud unit or generator can draw repeated citations from the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mount Pleasant's decibel limits for noise?
How does the town measure a noise violation?
Do commercial properties near homes face extra noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mount Pleasant
Compare Mount Pleasant to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Charleston County handle decibel limits.