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Oconee County committee moves to tighten noise rules after neighborhood complaints
Summary
The Oconee County law enforcement and public safety committee discussed revisions to the county noise ordinance May 19, 2026, including lower decibel limits, measurement location changes and coordination with Clemson University; legal review and a return to the full council were announced.
The Oconee County law enforcement, public safety, health and welfare committee on May 19 said it will pursue changes to the county’s noise ordinance after a wave of complaints about fireworks, gunfire and loud parties in residential neighborhoods.
The committee’s chair said the changes are aimed at giving residents more peace in tightly knit neighborhoods while allowing university life to continue. The chair said the county has been "in conversation with Clemson University" and has reviewed ordinances used by neighboring jurisdictions, including Granville County and Greenville, as models. He added that the county’s attorney will review proposed changes and the revision will come back to the council for approval.
Why it matters: Residents who reported repeated late-night noise disturbances prompted the review. The committee flagged two likely changes under consideration: lowering allowable decibel levels for certain periods and clarifying where officers must take sound-level readings to determine violations.
Committee discussion focused on balancing enforcement with community life. The chair said the sheriff’s office and Clemson University have already met with county staff "to see if we can't meet some unhappy ground" between enforcement and campus events. The chair said the ordinance language being reviewed will tighten decibel thresholds during daytime and nighttime hours and will specify the measurement location used by law enforcement.
County attorney Mr. Chumley was asked to review the draft ordinance. When invited to comment, Mr. Chumley replied only that he had no comments at that time.
No formal vote on the ordinance occurred at the meeting. The chair said the draft after legal review will return to the council for formal consideration.
What’s next: The committee will finalize language after the attorney’s review and coordination with the sheriff and Clemson; the chair said the ordinance will be scheduled for council consideration once revisions are complete.
