Lexington County, SC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Restrictive district limit
- 75 dB steady, 85 dB impact sound
- Intensive district limit
- 85 dB steady, 95 dB impact sound
- Nighttime reduction
- All limits drop 5 dB, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Measurement point
- Property line of the complaining party
- Governing section
- Sec. 24.13, Appendix B Zoning Ordinance
Summary
Lexington County's zoning ordinance caps steady noise at 75 decibels next to Restrictive Development Districts and grandfathered residential uses, and at 85 decibels next to Intensive Development Districts. Impact sounds may reach 85 and 95 decibels in those same districts, and every limit drops by 5 decibels between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Any operation or land use activity shall not create, assist in creating, permit, or permit the continuance of any noise in excess of 75 decibels (dB) for adjacent Restrictive Development Districts and adjacent grandfathered residential uses or any noise in excess of 85 decibels (dB) for adjacent Intensive Development Districts. Impact sounds shall not exceed 85 decibels (dB) for adjacent Restrictive Development Districts and adjacent grandfathered residential uses or 95 decibels (dB) for adjacent Intensive Development Districts. Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. all of the permissible noise levels indicated shall be reduced by 5 decibels. An independent analysis and the means to address excessive noise may be required by the Zoning Administrator prior to permitting of a new activity that may generate excessive noise or in the event an existing permitted activity potentially exceeds the allowances within this Section of the Ordinance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
13 of the Appendix B zoning ordinance, adopted in full by Ord. No. 23-17 on June 25, 2024, sets the maximum permitted sound pressure levels for any operation or land use activity in unincorporated Lexington County. Steady noise cannot exceed 75 decibels (dB) where it reaches an adjacent Restrictive Development District or an adjacent grandfathered residential use, or 85 decibels where it reaches an adjacent Intensive Development District. 11 as a distinct noise heard above the normal level such as two objects striking each other, get 10 more decibels of headroom: 85 dB near Restrictive districts and grandfathered homes, 95 dB near Intensive districts.
every one of those numbers drops by 5 decibels. 4-1071 for a Type 1 or Type 2 instrument, using A-weighting and slow response, with the microphone placed at least 5 feet from any wall, fence, or structure and at least 3 feet above the ground, anywhere on the exterior of the complaining party's property line. The Zoning Administrator can require an independent noise analysis before permitting a new activity likely to exceed these limits, or after an existing permitted activity is found to exceed them.
These performance standards run alongside, not instead of, the general noise prohibition in Chapter 26, Article II, which the Lexington County Sheriff's Department enforces separately.
Violations & Fines
An activity that exceeds the Section 24.13 decibel caps is out of compliance with its zoning permit, and the Zoning Administrator can require an independent noise study and corrective measures before allowing the activity to continue. The Section 24.13 standards apply on top of the separate misdemeanor noise prohibition in Chapter 26, Article II, which Lexington County Sheriff's deputies enforce independently of the zoning process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum noise level allowed near a house in unincorporated Lexington County?
How is noise measured for a Section 24.13 complaint?
Does this decibel limit replace the county's general noise ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington County
Compare Lexington County 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.