Orangeburg County, SC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 9-77(d), part of the community development code's exterior property standards, makes it unlawful for the owner of any occupied or unoccupied lot or parcel of land in or within 200 feet of a developed platted subdivision or residential structure to permit growth of weeds or vegetation in excess of 12 inches, except in natural, agricultural, naturalized, or garden use areas. The 200 foot trigger distance is measured from the offending vegetation to the neighboring dwelling or to the border of the platted subdivision, so a rural lot far from any subdivision or house can fall outside the rule even with tall growth.

Enforcement starts when the code official, part of the Community Development Division created under Section 9-21, serves a notice of violation identifying the condition and setting a compliance deadline under Section 9-25. If the owner or agent having charge of the property fails to cut and destroy the weeds after that notice, Section 9-77(d) authorizes prosecution under Section 9-24(c) and lets any duly authorized county employee or hired contractor enter the property to cut the weeds directly. The cost of that county-performed cutting is charged back to the owner or responsible agent, and under Section 9-24(d) unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the real estate, collectible the same way as county property taxes.