Dorchester County, SC HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Standards § 20.13.5(a)-(c)
- Membership rule
- Mandatory for owner and every successor
- Restriction duration
- Permanent, no time limit allowed
- Association duties
- Insurance, local taxes, facility upkeep
- Covenants filed with
- Dorchester County Attorney
- Max fine for violation
- $200 per day, § 14.2.4
Summary
Where a subdivision's open space is owned or maintained by a homeowners or condominium association, Dorchester County's zoning ordinance requires the recorded covenants to make membership mandatory for every owner, keep the restrictions permanent, and put the association on the hook for insurance, taxes, and upkeep.
(a) Membership must be mandatory for each dwelling unit owner and any successive buyer; (b) The open space restrictions must be permanent, not just for a period of years; (c) The association must be responsible for liability insurance, local taxes, and the maintenance of recreational and other facilities;
Full Breakdown
5 (Ordinance 04-13) governs how a homeowners or condominium association must be structured whenever a subdivision developer dedicates open space to that association rather than the county or individual owners. Before the site plan is approved, or by the preliminary plat or plan application stage, the developer must file a copy of the governing covenants and restrictions with the County Attorney. 5's mandatory-membership and permanence rules attach. 6 adds that whoever holds ownership or control of the open space is responsible for its continued upkeep and proper maintenance, reinforcing the association's operating duties. The ordinance took effect October 1, 2004 and has been amended through 2026.
Violations & Fines
The ordinance folds noncompliance into its general enforcement scheme rather than writing a stand-alone HOA penalty. Section 14.2.4 makes any violation of the Zoning and Land Development Standards Ordinance a misdemeanor under S.C. Code § 6-29-950, carrying a fine of up to $200 or up to 30 days' imprisonment on conviction, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. Section 14.2.3 additionally lets the Zoning Administrator seek injunctive relief or specific performance to force a developer or association into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new buyer refuse to join the subdivision's HOA?
Can the association's covenants expire after a set number of years?
Who is responsible for insuring and maintaining the association's open space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dorchester County
Compare Dorchester County to another location·View the South Carolina hoa rules overview
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