Georgetown County, SC Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Georgetown County Council found, in adopting the Junk, Debris and Common Nuisance Ordinance, that the county has dwellings unfit for human habitation because of dilapidation, fire and accident hazards, inadequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, storm or disaster damage, or other conditions that are unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise detrimental to residents' health, safety and welfare, and that junk and debris accumulating on property create the same kind of danger (Georgetown County Code § 11-17). Section 11-19 folds burned, dilapidated, damaged or deteriorated buildings left in a condition that endangers public safety, breeds vermin, or creates an attractive nuisance to children into the ordinance's list of nuisances.

The Environmental Services officer administers and enforces the ordinance and, on finding a nuisance, must serve written notice on the owner, occupant or agent, delivered personally, mailed, or posted on the property, directing them to correct the condition (§ 11-20(a)). If the condition is not corrected within a reasonable time after notice, the officer may have the nuisance removed or corrected directly; the cost of that work becomes a lien on the property, collected in the same manner as county taxes (§ 11-20(b)). The officer or an authorized agent may enter property to inspect for blight, and if an owner refuses access, the officer can seek a search warrant from a judicial officer with jurisdiction (§ 11-20(c)). Beyond the lien remedy, the officer can pursue injunctive relief, mandamus or other legal action through the county attorney to force compliance (§ 11-18(c)).