South Carolina Noise Laws (2026): Quiet Hours, Ordinances, Fines

In South Carolina, noise from neighbors, parties and music is mainly a matter for city and county ordinances. State law lets each municipality enact ordinances "for preserving health, peace, order, and good government in it," including "the authority to abate nuisances," and caps the penalty for an ordinance violation at $500 or 30 days in jail, or both (S.C. Code 5-7-30). Statewide, a person who "conducts himself in a disorderly or boisterous manner" on a highway or at a public place or public gathering commits a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days (16-17-530), and every motor vehicle needs a muffler that prevents "excessive or unusual noise" (56-5-5020). To compare other states, see our guide to noise ordinance laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers South Carolina state law on noise: municipal and county ordinance powers (S.C. Code 5-7-30, 4-9-25) and the penalties for ordinance violations (5-7-30, 14-25-65, 4-9-30(14), 22-3-550); public disorderly conduct, loud conduct on school grounds by a person who is not a student, and disturbing a funeral or worship service (16-17-530, 16-17-420, 16-17-525, 16-17-520); vehicle muffler and horn rules and their penalty (56-5-5020, 56-5-4950, 56-5-4960, 56-5-6190); the Lake Wylie and Lake Wateree motorboat noise rules (50-25-1110 to 50-25-1130, 50-25-1210 to 50-25-1230); the Shooting Range Protection Act of 2000 (31-18-30, 31-18-40, 31-18-50); the right-to-farm nuisance shield and its limit on local ordinances (46-45-60, 46-45-70); public nuisance abatement (15-43-10, 15-43-20); the tenant's duty not to disturb other tenants and the landlord's notice (27-40-510(7), 27-40-710(A)); Fireworks Prohibited Zones (23-35-175); and state park noise rules (51-3-145, 51-3-146). Quotations are from the South Carolina Code of Laws as published on the South Carolina Legislature's website. This article does not cover the text of any city or county ordinance, lease terms, workplace or aircraft noise, federal law, or the law of other states.

South Carolina noise laws at a glance

Who sets quiet hours in South Carolina?

Your city or county does. The statutes on this page set no statewide quiet hours, construction hours or decibel limits for homes, so those rules come from local ordinances.

For cities and towns, S.C. Code 5-7-30 says a municipality:

"may enact regulations, resolutions, and ordinances, not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of this State, including the exercise of powers in relation to roads, streets, markets, law enforcement, health, and order in the municipality or respecting any subject which appears to it necessary and proper for the security, general welfare, and convenience of the municipality or for preserving health, peace, order, and good government in it"

The same section includes "the authority to abate nuisances." The power is limited by its own words: a municipal ordinance must not be "inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of this State." The shooting range statute covered below is one example of general law that limits local noise rules.

Counties have a parallel grant. Under S.C. Code 4-9-25, all counties "have authority to enact regulations, resolutions, and ordinances, not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of this State," including powers "in relation to health and order in counties" and "for preserving health, peace, order, and good government in them." The statute adds that "the powers of a county must be liberally construed in favor of the county."

What a local noise violation can cost

For cities, the ceiling is in the same grant: "The municipal governing body may fix fines and penalties for the violation of municipal ordinances and regulations not exceeding five hundred dollars or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both" (5-7-30). A municipal judge who finds a person guilty of violating a municipal ordinance "may impose a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, or both" (14-25-65(A)). Those are maximums; the ordinance itself sets the amount a court applies.

For counties, the amount comes from the county ordinance's penalty section, within a cap. Under S.C. Code 4-9-30(14), which applies to counties under every form of government except the board of commissioners form, a county may provide penalties for ordinance violations "not to exceed the penalty jurisdiction of magistrates' courts." Magistrates "have jurisdiction of all offenses which may be subject to the penalties of a fine or forfeiture not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both" (22-3-550(A)).

Finding your city or county noise ordinance

Look up your city's code of ordinances, or your county's if you live outside city limits, and search it for "noise." Check for quiet hours, any decibel or "plainly audible" standard, construction-hour limits and the penalty section. For noise happening right now, the usual contact is the police department or sheriff's office non-emergency line. For a recurring problem, the city or county code enforcement office is the usual contact.

Is loud noise disorderly conduct in South Carolina?

The state statute reaches disorderly or boisterous conduct in public places. S.C. Code 16-17-530(A) provides that a person who is "found on any highway or at any public place or public gathering in a grossly intoxicated condition or otherwise conducts himself in a disorderly or boisterous manner" is guilty of a misdemeanor and "must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days." The section adds: "However, conditional discharge may be granted by the court in accordance with the provisions of this section upon approval by the circuit solicitor."

The section has no separate noise element, and it reaches conduct on a highway or at a public place or public gathering. Other sections in the same chapter reach particular disturbances. S.C. Code 16-17-420 makes it unlawful "for a person who is not a student to wilfully interfere with, disrupt, or disturb the normal operations of a school or college in this State" by, among other things, "being loud or boisterous on school or college grounds or property after instruction by school or college personnel to refrain from the conduct" (16-17-420(A)(4)). A person who is not a student is one "who is not enrolled in, or who is suspended or expelled from, the school or college" involved (16-17-420(B)). A violation is a misdemeanor, and the person "must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both" (16-17-420(C)).

It is also a misdemeanor to "wilfully, knowingly, or maliciously disturb or interrupt a funeral service" within 1,000 feet of the service and from half an hour before until half an hour after it, with a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days (16-17-525(A)). A person who "wilfully and maliciously" disturbs or interrupts a meeting or congregation convened for religious worship commits a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $20 to $100 or imprisonment of 30 days to one year, either or both (16-17-520).

Noise from a neighbor's home is therefore usually handled under the city or county noise ordinance rather than a state offense.

Loud cars: mufflers and horns

S.C. Code 56-5-5020 sets the muffler rule:

"Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle upon a highway."

The horn statute, S.C. Code 56-5-4950, provides that "no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or whistle" and that "no vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon any such vehicle any siren, whistle or bell." Under 56-5-4960, a driver "shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway."

Penalty. These sections carry no penalty clause of their own, so the default for Chapter 5 of Title 56 applies: "Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter for which another penalty is not provided shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days" (56-5-6190).

Chapter 5 sets no decibel limit for vehicles and has no provision aimed at car sound systems. A loud car stereo can still fall under a city or county noise ordinance.

Boats on Lake Wylie and Lake Wateree

Title 50, Chapter 25 sets motorboat noise control requirements for Lake Wylie (50-25-1110) and Lake Wateree (50-25-1210). On both lakes, motorboats with inboard-outboard propulsion machinery "shall exhaust through the propeller." Boats that exhaust over the transom must exhaust through a sealed, baffle-type muffler for each exhaust stack, with exhaust openings not more than two inches in diameter, and glass pack mufflers, resonators and above-water open exhausts are prohibited for those boats.

A violation is a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $50 to $200 or up to 30 days; a second offense, $100 to $200 or up to 30 days; and a third or later offense, $200 to $500 or up to six months, or both (50-25-1130, 50-25-1230). Boats competing in an approved regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament or exhibition are exempt (50-25-1120, 50-25-1220).

Shooting ranges

The Shooting Range Protection Act of 2000 limits how noise rules apply to ranges. S.C. Code 31-18-40 provides:

"(A) A county, municipal, or state noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation may not require or be applied to require a shooting range to limit or eliminate shooting activities that have occurred on a regular basis before January 1, 2000."

Subsection (B) says such a rule "may not be applied to a shooting range that was in compliance with a noise control ordinance as of the date of its establishment, provided there is no substantial change in the use of the range subsequent to its initial compliance." Subsection (C) says it "may not be applied to a shooting range that was in existence prior to the enactment of a noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation, provided there is no substantial change in the use of the range."

Neighbors face limits on noise lawsuits too. A person "may not maintain a nuisance action for noise against a shooting range" that was already established when the person acquired the property; if the range's use substantially changes afterward, the action must be brought within three years from the beginning of the change (31-18-30(A)). A person who owned the property before the range was established may sue for noise "only if the action is brought within five years after establishment of the range or three years after a substantial change in use of the range" (31-18-30(B)). Local governments may still regulate "the location and construction of a new shooting range" (31-18-50).

Farms and right to farm

South Carolina's right-to-farm law frames its protection as nuisance law rather than noise law. S.C. Code 46-45-70 provides that "no established agricultural facility or any agricultural operation at an established agricultural facility is or may become a nuisance, private or public, by any changed conditions in or about the locality of the facility or operation." The limit follows: "This section does not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent, improper, or illegal operation of an agricultural facility or operation."

The chapter also limits local ordinances. Under S.C. Code 46-45-60(A), "with the exception of new swine operations and new slaughterhouse operations," a local ordinance that "makes the operation of an agricultural facility or an agricultural operation at an agricultural facility a nuisance or providing for abatement as a nuisance in derogation of this chapter" is null and void. That rule does not apply when a nuisance results from negligent, illegal or improper operation, and it does not apply to a facility or operation "located within the corporate limits of a city" (46-45-60(A)).

What can you do about a noisy neighbor?

For noise happening now, call the police or sheriff's non-emergency line and ask whether the local noise ordinance applies; disorderly conduct under 16-17-530 reaches only conduct on a highway or at a public place or public gathering. For a recurring problem, contact the city or county code enforcement office, since municipalities hold "the authority to abate nuisances" (5-7-30).

South Carolina's public nuisance abatement statute, 15-43-10, is aimed at places marked by a "continuous breach of the peace," which it defines as "a pattern of repeated acts or conduct which either (1) directly disturbs the public peace or (2) disturbs the public peace by inciting or tending to incite violence" (15-43-10(B)). The Attorney General, the solicitor of the judicial district or "any citizen of the State" may bring an action in equity in the name of the State to enjoin such a nuisance (15-43-20). Section 15-43-10 also preserves other remedies: "Nothing in this section supplants, alters, or limits a statutory or common law right of a person to bring an action in court or the right of the State to prosecute a person for a violation of a statute or common law" (15-43-10(C)). Whether a particular noise problem supports a private lawsuit is a question for a lawyer licensed in South Carolina.

If you rent, state landlord-tenant law sets a noise-related duty. A tenant must conduct himself, and require guests on the premises to conduct themselves, "in a manner that will not disturb other tenant's peaceful enjoyment of the premises" (27-40-510(7)). For a tenant's noncompliance with the rental agreement, other than nonpayment of rent and certain other breaches, a landlord may deliver a written notice specifying the breach and stating that the agreement will terminate on a date not less than 14 days after receipt of the notice "if the breach is not remedied in fourteen days" (27-40-710(A)). If the breach is remediable and the tenant adequately remedies it before the date in the notice, the agreement does not terminate for that breach (27-40-710(A)(1)). See our guide to South Carolina landlord-tenant laws.

An owner, lessee or condominium association board can create a Fireworks Prohibited Zone by filing a Discharge of Fireworks Prohibited Agreement with the law enforcement agency for the property and posting at least two signs (23-35-175(C)). Knowingly and wilfully discharging fireworks from, in or into the zone is a misdemeanor: a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days for a first offense, and up to $200 or up to 30 days for a later offense (23-35-175(B)). For more, see our guide to South Carolina fireworks laws.

State parks: noise rules

S.C. Code 51-3-145 lists acts that are unlawful in state parks, including:

"(K) Acting in a disorderly manner or creating any noise which would result in annoyance to others. ... (M) Operating or using audio device, including radio, television, musical instruments, or any other noise producing devices, such as electrical generators, and equipment driven by motor engines, in such a manner and at such times as to disturb other persons"

A person who violates 51-3-145 "shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days" (51-3-146). A person who violates subsection (K) "may be ejected from the park and shall not be entitled to a refund of any fee or rental." The same section bars operating any motorized vehicle "without a muffler in good working order, or in such a manner as to create excessive or unusual noise" (51-3-145(H)(4)). Section 51-3-145 sets no numeric campground quiet hours; check the posted rules at the park.

Related pages

• Noise ordinance laws by state
• South Carolina landlord-tenant laws
• South Carolina fireworks laws
• North Carolina noise ordinance laws
• Georgia noise ordinance laws

This article provides general legal information about South Carolina law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in South Carolina or your city or county government.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the noise laws in South Carolina?

Quiet hours and decibel limits for homes come from city and county ordinances adopted under S.C. Code 5-7-30 and 4-9-25. Statewide, disorderly or boisterous conduct in a public place is a misdemeanor (16-17-530), vehicles need a working muffler (56-5-5020), and horns may not be unreasonably loud or harsh (56-5-4950).

What are the quiet hours in South Carolina?

Quiet hours for homes are set by your city or county ordinance; none of the state statutes on this page sets them. In state parks, using audio devices or generators in a manner and at times that disturb others is unlawful (51-3-145(M)).

What is the fine for a noise ordinance violation in South Carolina?

The amount is set by the local ordinance. A municipality may fix fines and penalties of not more than $500 or 30 days in jail, or both (S.C. Code 5-7-30). A county may provide penalties up to the penalty jurisdiction of magistrates' courts (4-9-30(14)), which is a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days, or both (22-3-550(A)). The ordinance's penalty section tells you what applies.

Is loud music disorderly conduct in South Carolina?

S.C. Code 16-17-530 makes it a misdemeanor to conduct yourself in a disorderly or boisterous manner on a highway or at a public place or public gathering, with a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days. The section has no separate noise element, so loud music at home is usually handled under the city or county noise ordinance.

Is a loud exhaust illegal in South Carolina?

Every motor vehicle must have a muffler in good working order to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and muffler cutouts and bypasses are banned on highways (S.C. Code 56-5-5020). A violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days (56-5-6190).

Can a county noise ordinance shut down a shooting range in South Carolina?

A county, municipal or state noise control rule may not require a range to limit or eliminate shooting that occurred on a regular basis before January 1, 2000, and may not be applied to a range that complied when it was established or that existed before the rule, provided there is no substantial change in use (S.C. Code 31-18-40). A neighbor's noise nuisance suit against a range is limited by when the range was established and must be brought within the deadlines in 31-18-30, and local governments may regulate the location and construction of new ranges (31-18-50).

Can I complain about noise from a nearby farm in South Carolina?

An established agricultural facility or operation does not become a nuisance because of changed conditions in the locality (S.C. Code 46-45-70). That protection does not apply when the nuisance results from negligent, improper or illegal operation.