Georgetown County, SC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Georgetown County Code § 11-19(3) declares it a nuisance for an owner, occupant or agent of a residential lot to allow junk, disabled cars, trucks, trash, waste and old lumber to accumulate and remain on the premises, on the grounds that the buildup becomes a harborage for rats, snakes and other vermin. The provision applies specifically to residential areas and targets vehicles that are junked or disabled, not vehicles that are simply parked and operable. This nuisance provision sits within the broader ordinance covering junk and debris generally (§ 11-19(1)) and dilapidated structures (§ 11-19(5)), reflecting the county's 1991 finding that unsightly accumulations threaten fire safety and public health (§ 11-15, § 11-17).

The Georgetown County Environmental Services officer and authorized agents administer and enforce the ordinance (§ 11-18(a)). When the officer identifies accumulated junk vehicles, written notice goes to the owner, occupant or agent, delivered personally, mailed, or posted on the property, directing removal of the condition (§ 11-20(a)). If the owner does not clear the vehicles within a reasonable time after notice, the officer may have them removed directly, and the cost of that removal is attached to the property as a lien collected the same way as county taxes (§ 11-20(b)).

The officer or an authorized agent may inspect the property, and if the owner refuses access, the officer can seek a search warrant (§ 11-20(c)). Enforcement can also proceed through injunctive relief, mandamus, or other legal action pursued by the county attorney on the officer's behalf (§ 11-18(c)).