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

Article III of the county's nuisance chapter, Code 1992 Secs. 10-56 through 10-67, adopted by Ord. of 6-22-1999, governs dwellings the county's public officer, the planning and zoning director, finds unfit for human habitation because of dilapidation, fire or accident damage, inadequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or other conditions dangerous to occupants or neighbors. Under Sec. 22-55, the officer opens a preliminary investigation and, if warranted, serves a written complaint on the owner and all parties in interest. Sec. 22-57 requires service in person or by registered mail, with publication for two consecutive weeks if the owner cannot be located, plus posting on the property and filing with the clerk of court as a lis pendens.

Sec. 22-58 sets the hearing at least ten but fewer than 30 days after service, and Sec. 22-59 frees the hearing from the formal rules of evidence used in court. If the officer finds the dwelling unfit, Sec. 22-60 requires a written order: repair, alteration or improvement by a set date if that is reasonable relative to the dwelling's value, or removal or demolition by a set date if it is not. An owner may petition the circuit court for an injunction within 60 days of service under Sec.

22-62, and the court must hear the matter within 20 days. If the owner does not comply, Sec. 22-61 lets the officer carry out the repair, removal or demolition directly, and Sec. 22-63 makes the cost a lien collectible like county property taxes, with salvage proceeds from any demolished materials credited against that cost.