Richland County makes it unlawful to play a vehicle radio or sound system so loud it is plainly audible 50 feet from the vehicle or inside someone's home. Detecting the rhythmic bass alone is enough to prove a violation under Section 18-3.
Section 18-3 specifically targets vehicular sound: it is unlawful to operate any radio or other vehicular music or sound amplification equipment so as to be plainly audible 50 feet in any direction from the vehicle, or plainly audible inside another person's residence. The ordinance states that detecting the rhythmic bass component alone is sufficient to constitute a plainly audible sound, so booming bass at a stoplight can be cited. This applies throughout the unincorporated county. State law separately regulates mufflers and equipment; cities apply their own vehicle-noise rules.
A plainly-audible car stereo (including bass detectable at 50 feet) violates Sec. 18-3, fine up to $500.00, enforced by the Sheriff's Department.
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See how Columbia's vehicle noise rules stack up against other locations.
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