Florence County, SC Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- §§ 21-16 to 21-128 Unsafe Structure Abatement Code
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 13-2009/10, Mar. 18, 2010
- Penalty
- Up to $200 (1st/2nd), $500 (3rd+)
- Appeal window
- 20 days to Board of Construction Appeals
- Farm exemption
- Historic family-farm barns/dwellings (§ 21-17)
Summary
Unincorporated Florence County can condemn and order the repair, removal or demolition of unsafe, unfit or unlawful structures under its Unsafe Structure Abatement Code, County Code §§ 21-16 through 21-128. A structure that risks partial or complete collapse or endangers occupants can be placarded 'Condemned,' and abatement costs can become a lien on the property.
This code shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to ensure public health, safety and welfare in so far as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures. Structures that do not comply with these provisions and which present a possibility of danger to public health, safety, or welfare shall be altered, repaired, removed, or demolished to provide a minimum level of health and safety as required herein. ... An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
Full Breakdown
Florence County's Unsafe Structure Abatement Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 13-2009/10 on March 18, 2010 and codified at Code §§ 21-16 through 21-128, governs substandard and dangerous buildings in unincorporated Florence County. Its stated intent, at § 21-18, is to ensure public health, safety and welfare in so far as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures, and any structure that presents a possibility of danger to public health, safety, or welfare shall be altered, repaired, removed, or demolished to provide a minimum level of health and safety.
Section 21-86 defines an unsafe structure as one dangerous to life, health, property or safety because it lacks fire safeguards, contains unsafe equipment, or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of faulty construction or unstable foundation that partial or complete collapse is possible. The code official (Planning and Building Inspection) investigates only after a written complaint, per § 21-50, then can condemn a structure under § 21-85, post a Condemned placard under § 21-91, and order a vacant, unfit structure closed up under § 21-89 so it is not an attractive nuisance.
Where repair is unreasonable, § 21-113 authorizes an order to demolish; if the owner fails to comply, the county demolishes the structure through Public Works or a contractor and recoups the cost as a tax lien on the real estate under § 21-4(d). An owner may appeal a code official's order to the Florence County Board of Construction Appeals within 20 days under § 21-121. Family-farm barns and residential dwellings historically part of a farm operation are exempt from this article under § 21-17 unless law enforcement documents repeat illicit activity there. 00 for a third or subsequent offense.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Unsafe Structure Abatement Code, or defacing a condemnation placard, is a misdemeanor under §§ 21-64 and 21-5: up to $200.00 for a first or second offense, up to $500.00 for a third or later one, with each continuing day after notice a separate offense. The code official can also pursue civil abatement, charging demolition or securing costs against the property as a lien, separate from any criminal fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unsafe' under Florence County's code?
Can the county demolish a dangerous building and bill the owner?
Are farm buildings exempt from the unsafe structure code?
How does a property owner appeal a condemnation order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Florence County
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