Simpsonville, SC Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Loud/defective exhaust
- Prohibited nuisance
- Excessive horn use
- Prohibited nuisance
- Lawful street driving
- Exempt (§ 18-85(5))
- Defers to
- State/federal vehicle law
- Section
- Code § 18-84(a)(5),(6)
Summary
Simpsonville names 'motor vehicle exhausts without mufflers or with inefficient or ineffective mufflers' and loud horns, sirens or signal devices as nuisance noises. Lawfully operating vehicles on public streets are otherwise exempt, deferring to state motor-vehicle law.
Motor vehicle exhausts without mufflers or with inefficient or ineffective mufflers.
(7) The human voice when used to yell, shout, scream or the like.
(8) When operated at night, construction machinery, heavy duty equipment used in street repair and maintenance and domestic and commercial power tools, unless a permit is obtained.
(b) Continuous or repeated noises. Regardless of the level of sound, the following shall be deemed a nuisance and shall be prohibited under section 18-82 :
(1) To keep any animal, including a bird, causing a frequent or long continued noise, such as barking, howling or screeching, disturbing the comfort and repose of any person of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity.
(2) To install or operate a burglar alarm system which uses an audible warning or bell without a functioning device that will shut off the warning or bell within 20 minutes after application of the system when the alarm cannot be readily or conveniently silenced manually by persons who are disturbed by its activation. Each activation of such an alarm that continues beyond 20 minutes shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Code 1995, § 18-94)
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-84(a)(6) makes 'motor vehicle exhausts without mufflers or with inefficient or ineffective mufflers' a nuisance, and (a)(5) covers 'horns, sirens and signal devices using loud, brash or harassing noises, whether on vehicles or otherwise.' Sec. 18-85(5)(iii) exempts the sound of motor vehicles 'otherwise in lawful operation, on all public streets and highways,' provided any applicable federal regulations are met. So a stationary revving car with a defective muffler or a driver leaning on the horn can be cited, while ordinary lawful driving noise is not a city noise violation.
Violations & Fines
Muffler and horn noise violating Sec. 18-82 draws the standard warning-first enforcement; repeat violations bring $50-to-state-maximum fines or up to 30 days' jail (Sec. 18-91).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are loud exhausts illegal in Simpsonville?
Is normal traffic noise a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simpsonville
Compare Simpsonville to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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