Charleston's hot, humid Lowcountry climate produces serious Formosan termite, palmetto-bug, and rat pressure; Chapter 17 requires owners to maintain sanitary conditions and eliminate harborage on residential and commercial properties.
Subterranean and Formosan termites are endemic to Charleston; new construction must include treated soil or bait systems under SC Code requirements, and most lenders require termite letters at sale. Charleston's combination of marsh, dense food service, and historic crawlspaces creates Norway rat and roof rat populations that require coordinated baiting. Chapter 17 health-and-sanitation provisions empower city inspectors to require abatement of conditions that breed rats, mosquitoes, or roaches, including standing water, garbage piles, and unsealed dumpsters. SCDHEC oversees public-health pest issues at restaurants, while Charleston restaurants must use licensed pest-control operators.
Failure to abate after notice can trigger forced city remediation, liens, and per-day fines; restaurants risk SCDHEC permit suspension and Charleston business-license actions.
See how Charleston's pest control rules stack up against other locations.
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