Noise from Specific Sources in South Carolina (2026)
25 rules on the books across South Carolina, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Rock Hill
Few RestrictionsRock Hill's 60-decibel residential noise cap does not apply to HVAC equipment: § 20-162(18)(i) exempts 'sound which was…
Read full rule →York County
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated York County exempts ordinary HVAC unit sound from its residential noise-decibel cap, so a working air…
Read full rule →Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Charleston
Significant RestrictionsCharleston bars any establishment from letting amplified sound reach the street through open windows or doors after 11…
Read full rule →Greenville County
Some RestrictionsGreenville County's noise ordinance exempts most lawfully established businesses from its decibel limits, but County…
Read full rule →Horry County
Some RestrictionsHorry County's noise ordinance bans any loudspeaker or sound amplifier that broadcasts music onto public streets to…
Read full rule →Lancaster County
Some RestrictionsMost fixed-site businesses are exempt from Lancaster County's excessive-noise ordinance, but Sec. 23-23(1) carves bars…
Read full rule →Rock Hill
Some RestrictionsRock Hill bars any sound-amplifying device, including a bar or club's speakers, from operating 'so loud as to…
Read full rule →Sumter County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Sumter County exempts most lawfully established businesses from its noise ordinance, but not bars and…
Read full rule →Florence County
Light RestrictionsFlorence County has no bar- or nightclub-specific noise rule; instead, Sec. 18-1(a) bans any unreasonably loud…
Read full rule →Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Greenwood County
Some RestrictionsGreenwood County's general noise ordinance bars sounding a vehicle horn or signal device except as a genuine danger…
Read full rule →Oconee County
Some RestrictionsHorns, sirens and signal devices that produce loud, brash or harassing noise are a declared nuisance in unincorporated…
Read full rule →Florence County
Light RestrictionsSec. 18-1(b)(2) of the Florence County Code bars the use of any gong, bell or siren on a vehicle other than a police…
Read full rule →Mount Pleasant
Few RestrictionsThe Town of Mount Pleasant's alarm-systems ordinance, which licenses alarm businesses and penalizes excessive false…
Read full rule →Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Dorchester County
Some RestrictionsA backup or emergency generator is a permitted accessory use under Zoning § 10.3.2(b), but its noise still has to meet…
Read full rule →Florence County
Some RestrictionsFlorence County prohibits noisy generators and other mechanical devices under County Code § 18-1(b)(10). A generator…
Read full rule →Rock Hill
Some RestrictionsRock Hill's noise ordinance names blowers, power fans and internal combustion engines, the equipment category covering…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated York County requires generators and other internal combustion engines, blowers, or power fans to run…
Read full rule →Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Columbia
Some RestrictionsColumbia bans loud or excessive noise from loading and unloading vehicles under City Code Sec. 8-62, and sets a hard…
Read full rule →Florence County
Some RestrictionsFlorence County bans excessive noise from loading and unloading operations in the unincorporated area under County Code…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated York County bans loud or excessive noise from loading and unloading delivery vehicles, including opening…
Read full rule →Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.
Cherokee County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Cherokee County, South Carolina, music from a radio, instrument or vehicle sound system that is…
Read full rule →Greenville County
Some RestrictionsGreenville County declares low-frequency bass from a stereo, phonograph or musical instrument a nuisance whenever it…
Read full rule →Greenwood County
Some RestrictionsGreenwood County's noise ordinance bars playing a radio, stereo, or musical instrument at a volume that annoys or…
Read full rule →Mount Pleasant
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Mount Pleasant, thumping bass counts as noise the moment it can be heard outside its source. Town Code §…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated York County makes it a noise violation to play a radio, stereo, or other sound device loud enough to be…
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