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

Article VI of Chapter 8 spells out how a nuisance complaint moves through unincorporated Laurens County. Sec. 8-525 lets any owner or occupant of real estate within 1,500 feet of the property at issue file a complaint, either in writing on the county's form or verbally, though a verbal complaint requires the alleged nuisance to be plainly visible from a federal, state or county roadway and the complainant must still supply all the information the written form requires. Once a written complaint comes in, Sec.

8-518 lets the county declare the site a nuisance for dumped junk, broken vehicles, waste, tires or a deteriorated, abandoned structure that endangers public safety. Under Sec. 8-520, the Permits, Inspections and Codes Department must then serve the owner or occupant with a notice detailing the violation and demanding abatement within 60 days. Sec. 8-524 lays out the enforcement steps: the building official visits the site, issues a letter of compliance starting the 60-day clock, and will hold a hearing if the owner asks for more time before the deadline expires.

If the owner still hasn't complied after 60 days, Sec. 8-524(b) authorizes a summons, a fine of $200.00 per day, and a required appearance in magistrate court, while Sec. 8-521 lets the county abate the nuisance itself and bill the owner, with the cost recorded as a lien under Sec. 8-522. All complaints are subject to disclosure under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act.