Berkeley County, SC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated conduct
- Vehicle exhaust/defect listed as noise type
- Standard
- No decibel limit; 10-factor officer test
- Penalty
- Fine $100-$500, up to 30 days jail
- Enforcement
- Sheriff's Office and Code Enforcement Officers
- Exemption
- Lawful vehicles on public roads exempt
Summary
Berkeley County treats vehicle exhaust noise and vehicle defects as a listed category of prohibited noise under its general noise ordinance. Officers weigh volume, time of day, and proximity to homes before citing a driver, and violators face a misdemeanor fine of $100 to $500 and up to 30 days in jail under County Code § 38-1.
The making, creation, or maintenance of the excessive, nuisance, unnecessary, unnatural or unusually loud noises which are prolonged, unusual and unnatural in their time, place and use affect and are a detriment to public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity of the residents of Berkeley County shall be prohibited. Any persons found to make, or cause to be made, any loud, boisterous, or unreasonable noise shall be in violation of this section.(c)Types of noise.(1)Radios, televisions, percussion instruments, or loudspeakers;(2)Construction, repairing, or demolition of buildings;(3)Yelling or shouting;(4)Vehicle exhaust or vehicle defect;(5)Fireworks or gunshots;(6)Any other loud or unnatural noise that would be a discomfort to any residence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 38-1(b) bans 'the making, creation, or maintenance of the excessive, nuisance, unnecessary, unnatural or unusually loud noises' that disturb public health, comfort, safety or welfare, and § 38-1(c)(4) lists 'vehicle exhaust or vehicle defect' as one of six specifically named noise types covered by that ban, alongside loudspeakers, construction noise, yelling, and fireworks or gunshots. ' The ordinance exempts motor vehicles 'otherwise in lawful operation, on all public streets and highways' under § 38-1(e)(4)c, so normal traffic noise and legally operating engines are not covered; it is a defective muffler, straight pipe, aftermarket exhaust, or similarly excessive vehicle noise, not ordinary road noise, that falls under the prohibited 'vehicle exhaust or vehicle defect' category.
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and Berkeley County Code Enforcement Officers jointly enforce § 38-1, which took its current form under Ordinance No. 21-10-64, adopted October 25, 2021.
Violations & Fines
A § 38-1 violation is a misdemeanor: conviction carries a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, under § 38-1(h). Each day a continuing violation persists counts as a separate offense, so repeated vehicle-noise complaints at the same address can multiply the exposure quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cited for a loud exhaust in Berkeley County?
Is there a decibel limit for car noise in the county?
What's the penalty for a vehicle noise violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley County
Compare Berkeley County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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