Greenwood County, SC Code Violation Reporting: Response Times (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard notice window
- 15 to 30 days to correct
- Emergency notice window
- 5 to 15 days
- Notice method
- Personal service or mail to owner
- Maximum fine
- Up to $200.00 per offense
- Enforcing officer
- County administrative officer / litter officer
Summary
Unincorporated Greenwood County gives property owners advance notice before code penalties apply. Section 11-4-6(c) requires 15 to 30 days' written notice to correct a junk, debris or overgrowth violation, while subsection (d) lets the administrative officer shorten that window to as little as five days in an emergency.
(c)Notices, hearings, and orders. Whenever the county administrative officer determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter, he or she shall give notice of such alleged violation to the owner or agent of the property as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:(1)Be in writing; giving at least 15 days, but not more than 30 days, to correct the violation; ... (d)Emergency clause. Whenever the official finds an emergency that exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, he or she may, without subsequent notice or hearing, issue an order citing the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he or she may deem necessary to meet the emergency including the suspension of any applicable permits. In this instance, the administrative officer has the authority to limit compliance to this chapter to within five days, but not more than 15 days to protect the same.
Full Breakdown
Greenwood County Code Section 11-4-6, adopted by Ordinance No. 18-00 on June 20, 2000, governs how the county administers and enforces Title 11, Chapter 4 violations for junk, debris and overgrown lots. Under subsection (c), once the county administrative officer determines there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation exists, the officer must give the owner or agent written notice that states the exact nature of the violation, is served by personal service or mail to the address on the permit, and outlines the remedial action needed for compliance.
That notice must give the owner at least 15 days but not more than 30 days to correct the violation before penalties under subsection (b) apply. Subsection (d) creates a faster emergency track: when an emergency exists that requires immediate action to protect public health, safety or welfare, the official may skip further notice or a hearing and issue an order requiring necessary action, including suspending permits, but is limited to giving the owner no fewer than five and no more than 15 days to comply.
Failure to comply with either notice period exposes the owner to the misdemeanor penalties of subsection (b), enforced by the county litter officer and administrative officer.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring either notice period triggers the misdemeanor penalty in Section 11-4-6(b): a fine of up to $200.00, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Unresolved cases can also become a lien on the property under Section 11-4-7, collected like county taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to fix a code violation after Greenwood County notifies me?
Can the county shorten that response time?
How is the violation notice delivered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenwood County
Compare Greenwood County to another location·View the South Carolina code violation reporting overview
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