Horry County, SC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Muffler required
- Yes (Sec. 13-32(b)(5))
- Unnecessary horn use
- Prohibited (b)(1)
- State muffler law
- S.C. Code 56-5-4970
- Applies to
- Cars, motorcycles, boats
- Enforcement
- Horry County Police
Summary
Horry County Code 13-32 bans discharging a vehicle, motorcycle, or engine exhaust into the open air except through an effective muffler, and prohibits unnecessary horn or signaling-device use. South Carolina law (S.C. Code 56-5-4970) also requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler with no cutout or bypass.
The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
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
Vehicle noise is addressed in Section 13-32(b). Subsection (b)(5) makes it a prohibited noise to discharge the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, motor boat, or motor vehicle into the open air except through a muffler that effectively prevents loud or explosive noise, reaching loud aftermarket exhausts and straight pipes. Subsection (b)(1) bars sounding a horn or signaling device except as a danger warning, and prohibits exhaust-operated horns. These rules complement statewide S.C. Code 56-5-4970, which requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler and prohibits cutouts, bypasses, or amplifying devices. Horry County publishes a dedicated summary of how the ordinance applies to motorcycles and motor vehicles.
Violations & Fines
Loud-exhaust and horn violations are misdemeanor noise offenses citable by Horry County Police under Sec. 13-32 (up to $500 or 30 days under Sec. 1-8). A bypassed muffler is separately a state offense under S.C. Code 56-5-4970.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are loud exhausts and straight pipes legal in Horry County?
Can I lean on my horn in traffic?
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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