Noise Ordinance in Columbia, South Carolina
Noise in Columbia is regulated by Code of Ordinances, City of Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 8 (Environmental Health and Sanitation), Article III (Noise), Secs. 8-61–8-96. Quiet hours are varies by activity; night rules typically 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM. This page summarizes what the ordinance actually says, section by section, with links to the official code text.
What the Columbia Noise Ordinance Says
Columbia's noise rules live in Chapter 8, Article III of the city Code of Ordinances (Secs. 8-61 through 8-96), rewritten in full by Ordinance 2019-059 (adopted September 17, 2019). Division 1 covers general prohibitions: any "unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise" is unlawful (Sec. 8-61), along with noisy loading/unloading (Sec. 8-62), amplified music and radios that disturb the public or residents — especially between 10 PM and 7 AM (Sec. 8-63), noise-making to attract business attention (Sec. 8-64), noisy construction between 11 PM and 6 AM in majority-residential blocks (Sec. 8-65), and unregistered audible alarms (Sec. 8-66).
Division 2 (Secs. 8-91–8-96) sets measurable decibel caps. In residential areas, sound from non-vehicular sources — stereos, parties, equipment — may not exceed 55 dB(A) from 6 AM to 11 PM or 50 dB(A) from 11 PM to 6 AM, measured 10 feet from the property line. Residential construction is capped at 80 dB(A) daytime (7 AM–7 PM) and 75 dB(A) at night. Vehicles on public roads are limited to 80–88 dB(A) depending on type and speed limit, mufflers are mandatory with a hard 84 dB(A) ceiling, and impulsive or shrill noises become unlawful at just 5 dB(A) above the standard limits.
A distinctive feature: for the catch-all unreasonable-noise and amplified-sound offenses, police must first give written notice that the noise is unlawful before a criminal charge can follow. Violations are heard in municipal court under the general penalty of Sec. 1-5(a) — up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, or both, with each day counting as a separate offense. Notable exemptions include government-sponsored events (concerts, festivals, fireworks), grandfathered industrial property, emergency vehicles, alarms, small lawn tools during daytime hours, and organized sporting events between 7 AM and 11 PM.
"Sound from a non-vehicular source located in a residential area, shall not exceed the following limits" — Sec. 8-93(c)
Quiet Hours in Detail
No single labeled "quiet hours," but nighttime restrictions run roughly 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM: residential dB limit drops to 50 dB(A) 11 PM–6 AM (Sec. 8-93(c)); noisy building operations banned 11 PM–6 AM in residential blocks (Sec. 8-65); commercial loading/unloading limited 11 PM–6 AM (Sec. 8-62(b)); radios/music disturbing residences flagged "particularly between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m." (Sec. 8-63(b))
Decibel Limits
Non-vehicular source in residential areas: 55 dB(A) 6 AM–11 PM, 50 dB(A) 11 PM–6 AM (Sec. 8-93(c)). Construction in residential areas: 80 dB(A) 7 AM–7 PM, 75 dB(A) 7 PM–7 AM (Sec. 8-93(d)). Vehicles on public roads (Sec. 8-93(a)): 80 dB(A)/84 dB(A) (speed limit ≤35 mph / >35 mph) for cars and post-1973 motorcycles; 82/86 dB(A) pre-1973 motorcycles; 86/88 dB(A) vehicles ≥10,000 lbs gross vehicle rating. Vehicles off-road/private property: 78 dB(A) (Sec. 8-93(b)). Periodic, impulsive, or shrill noises unlawful at 5 dB(A) or more above these limits (Sec. 8-93(e)). Nighttime loading/unloading: below 50 dB(A) residential, 70 dB(A) commercial, measured from 50 ft (Sec. 8-62(b)). Measurement rules in Sec. 8-92 (A-weighting; vehicles at ~50 ft; non-vehicular at 10 ft from property line). No zoning-district decibel table beyond residential/commercial distinctions.
Enforcement and Penalties
Columbia Police Department (any law enforcement officer authorized to arrest in the city) and municipal court. For Sec. 8-61 (unreasonable noise) and Sec. 8-63 (amplified sound), criminal penalty applies only after WRITTEN notice that the noise is unlawful. Penalty per Sec. 1-5(a): fine up to $500.00 or imprisonment up to 30 days, or both; each day a violation continues is a separate offense (Sec. 1-5(b)); enforceable via uniform ordinance summons (Sec. 1-5(c)). Alarm-device violations are misdemeanors under Sec. 8-66(4).
Exemptions
Sec. 8-94 exempts: (a) state/political-subdivision property used for cultural, entertainment, athletic, or patriotic events (concerts, music festivals, fireworks); (b) property in manufacturing/industrial use as of Jan 1, 2018; (c) regulated public utilities; (d) aircraft/federally regulated noise; (e) authorized emergency vehicles; (f) vehicle horns as danger warnings and burglar/fire/safety alarms; (g) activities under a City special use permit (unless the permit is silent on noise); (h) lawnmowers/hand or power tools ≤5 hp, 7 AM–11 PM (Sundays 8 AM–11 PM); (i) organized sporting/athletic events, 7 AM–11 PM. Also, city council may issue permits for special-occasion broadcasts (Sec. 8-63(d)).
Key Sections of the Code
| Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Sec. 8-61 | Unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise (general prohibition; written notice required before penalty) |
| Sec. 8-62 | Noises in connection with loading or unloading vehicles (11 PM–6 AM: below 50 dB(A) residential / 70 dB(A) commercial) |
| Sec. 8-63 | Radios, phonographs, musical instruments and other sound-amplifying devices (incl. 10 PM–7 AM residential disturbance; special-occasion permits) |
| Sec. 8-64 | Crying out or playing bells, drum or other instrument to attract attention |
| Sec. 8-65 | Building operations (no loud machinery 11 PM–6 AM in majority-residential blocks) |
| Sec. 8-66 | Audible signal alarm devices (registration with police, shut-off contacts, misdemeanor penalty) |
| Sec. 8-91 | Definitions (dB(A), ambient noise level, vehicle, motorcycle, muffler, sound level meter) |
| Sec. 8-92 | Measurement of sound level (distances, A-weighting, wind conditions, ambient consideration) |
| Sec. 8-93 | Maximum permitted sound levels (vehicle table; residential 55/50 dB(A) day/night; construction 80/75 dB(A); +5 dB(A) rule for impulsive/shrill noise) |
| Sec. 8-94 | Exceptions (government events, grandfathered industrial, utilities, aircraft, emergency vehicles, alarms, small tools, sporting events) |
| Sec. 8-95 | Vehicle muffler required (84 dB(A) max; cut-offs/bypasses banned) |
| Sec. 8-96 | Animal sounds (deferred to Chapter 4, Article III, Animal Control) |
| Sec. 1-5(a)-(c) | General penalty: fine up to $500 or 30 days imprisonment or both; each day a separate offense; uniform ordinance summons |
Official Source
This summary is based on the official municipal code text. Always confirm current rules with the city before relying on them — ordinances are amended regularly.
- Code of Ordinances, City of Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 8 (Environmental Health and Sanitation), Article III (Noise), Secs. 8-61–8-96 — official code text (Municode)
- South Carolina statewide noise ordinance guide
Last verified against the official code: 2026-07-08.
This page is an informational summary, not legal advice. For disputes or citations, consult the full code text or a local attorney.