Horry County, SC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max grass/weed height
- 12 inches (uncultivated)
- Governing ordinance
- Chapter 10 (Ord. 50-01)
- Applies within
- Platted major residential subdivisions
- Enforcer
- Dept. of Environmental Services
- Unpaid-cost remedy
- Lien / collected as taxes
Summary
In unincorporated Horry County, uncultivated grass and weeds over twelve inches are 'unsightly growth' and a common nuisance under the county's Junk, Debris and Common Nuisance Ordinance (Chapter 10). Owners in platted major residential subdivisions must keep lots clear or face county abatement.
Unsightly growth means any growth of grass, weeds, or herbaceous or woody plant growth, other than trees or shrubs, that is uncultivated and exceeds twelve (12) inches in length.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Horry County's Junk, Debris and Common Nuisance Ordinance (Chapter 10, adopted as Ord. No. 50-01) defines 'unsightly growth' as any growth of grass, weeds, or herbaceous or woody plant growth, other than trees or shrubs, that is uncultivated and exceeds twelve (12) inches in length. Owners, agents, occupants and lessees must keep property within any platted major residential subdivision free of litter and unsightly growth. The county's Department of Environmental Services enforces the chapter. Cities set their own rules: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway and Surfside Beach each have property-maintenance codes with their own overgrown-vegetation limits, so the twelve-inch county standard governs the large unincorporated areas such as Socastee, Carolina Forest and Garden City rather than the incorporated towns.
Violations & Fines
After notice, the county may enter and abate the nuisance; an immediate health threat can be corrected if not fixed within 24 hours. A bill unpaid for 60 days can be collected by foreclosing a lien or as county taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass get in unincorporated Horry County?
Does this apply inside Myrtle Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Horry County
How Horry County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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