Charleston County's Livability chapter caps residential-area noise at 70 dBA: Section 3-43 prohibits any excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable sound above 70 dBA, or plainly audible within 500 feet of a residentially developed property line, whichever is triggered first.
Rather than a full table of zone-by-zone or hour-by-hour decibel limits, the unincorporated county uses a single 70 dBA ceiling paired with a 500-foot plainly-audible test in Section 3-43. Any excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable sound plainly audible within 500 feet of a residentially developed parcel's property line, or measured above 70 dBA, is prohibited. Officers can rely on either the audibility standard or a meter reading. The county code defines 'plainly audible' as any sound detectable by a person using unaided hearing.
Exceeding the 70 dBA / 500-foot standard in Section 3-43 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.
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See how North Charleston's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
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