Rock Hill, SC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Rock Hill's weed-control framework runs through Neighborhood Services and the adopted IPMC, with inspectors authorized to order abatement of vegetation exceeding approximately 12 inches on residential and commercial property. Authority flows from the Rock Hill Municipal Code (https://library.municode.com/sc/rock_hill) and South Carolina municipal home-rule authority. At the state level, the South Carolina Noxious Weed Act (Title 46, Chapter 23, §46-23-10 et seq., available at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t46c023.php) declares listed noxious weeds, plant diseases, and plant pests a public nuisance. The Act is administered by Clemson University's Department of Plant Industry (DPI) within the South Carolina Crop Pest Commission, which is empowered to issue quarantines, eradication orders, and movement restrictions. The Act was substantially modernized in 2015 (Act No. 15, H.3323) to authorize the Commission to designate and regulate noxious weeds via regulation rather than statute. South Carolina noxious-weed regulations (S.C. Code Regs. § 5-462) list specific regulated species and authorize Clemson DPI to enforce identification, certification, and eradication requirements primarily affecting nursery stock, seed, and agricultural commodities. Commercial pesticide application requires Clemson DPI applicator licensing under the SC Pesticide Control Act (Title 46, Chapter 13). The Clemson Cooperative Extension Service (clemson.edu/extension) publishes the Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) guides for South Carolina invasive plants, noxious weeds, and integrated weed management adapted to the Piedmont climate that includes Rock Hill.