County Moves Forward with Noise Ordinance

Barking dogs and noisy neighbors: you're about to be put on notice.

If Dorchester County Council passes its proposed noise ordinance, you could face a $500 fine for all that racket.

Monday, council passed the second reading of the ordinance. But Dorchester County Council Chair Larry Hargett said the ordinance still needs a lot of work, and council will likely hold off on third reading until December. 

View the ordinance as it is currently written attached to this story.

One of the key components to figure out is to which zoning or to which areas the noise ordinance will apply. Hargett said he'd like to see it apply to within Dorchester County School District Two school zones. Others have suggested certain zones, like residential, in the county. 

Council will keep the ordinance from affecting rural residents of the county, especially those that keep noisy equines, poultry and bovines, according to Hargett. 

"I don't think it would be fair to put that on our rural area," Hargett said. 

Under the ordinance, Dorchester County Sheriff's officers would have decibel readers and would help enforce the code. 

Second reading passed 5-0, with Councilman David Chinnis abstaining and Councilman Willie Davis absent, Monday night.