Georgetown County, SC Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Adopted in 1991 under the authority of S.C. Code §§ 4-9-25 and 4-9-30, the Junk, Debris and Common Nuisance Ordinance at Georgetown County Code §§ 11-15 through 11-21 targets the property conditions code enforcement most commonly receives complaints about (§ 11-15). Section 11-19 defines acts of nuisance to include an owner, occupant or agent permitting a premises to become unsanitary or a fire menace by letting offensive matter, debris, trash or waste accumulate; permitting pools of water to stand and turn stagnant and foul; in a residential area, allowing junk, disabled cars, trucks, trash, waste and old lumber to pile up as harborage for rats, snakes and vermin; letting dead trees, limbs and underbrush accumulate into a fire hazard; and allowing burned, dilapidated, damaged or deteriorated buildings to remain in a condition that endangers public safety or becomes a harborage for vermin or an attractive nuisance to children.

The Georgetown County Environmental Services officer and authorized agents administer and enforce the ordinance (§ 11-18(a)). When the officer finds a nuisance, written notice goes to the owner, occupant or agent by personal delivery, mail or posting on the property, and if the violation is not corrected within a reasonable time, the officer may have the nuisance removed and place the cost as a lien on the property, collected like county taxes (§ 11-20). Officers may seek a search warrant if an owner refuses an inspection. The officer can also pursue injunctive relief, mandamus or other legal action through the county attorney (§ 11-18(c)).