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

C. and defines "county," "owner," "parties in interest" and "dwelling" by reference to that state statute. Section 5-52 records County Council's finding that some dwellings in the county are unfit for human habitation because of dilapidation, fire or accident hazards, inadequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or other conditions dangerous to health, safety or morals. The codes administrator can investigate dwelling conditions, administer oaths, take evidence and enter premises to inspect under Section 5-53, and under Section 5-54 may find a dwelling unfit for conditions including structural defects, disrepair, uncleanliness or insect and vermin breeding grounds.

The process itself runs through Section 5-55: a petition from at least 5 county residents, or the administrator's own motion, triggers a preliminary investigation and, if warranted, a formal complaint served on the owner and all parties in interest, with a hearing set 10 to 30 days out where the owner can answer and testify. If the administrator finds the dwelling unfit, the order splits on cost: where repairs would run at or under 50% of the dwelling's value, the owner must repair it or vacate and close it; where repairs would exceed that 50% threshold, the owner must remove or demolish the dwelling.

Ignoring either order lets the county do the work itself, post a statutory "unfit for human habitation" placard on a closed dwelling, and place the cost as a lien collected like county taxes. 1 details exactly how a closed dwelling must be secured, from removing door and window opening covers to installing painted 1/2-inch plywood over openings. Anyone affected by an order has 60 days under Section 5-56 to petition the circuit court for an injunction, and materials from a demolished dwelling are sold under Section 5-57, with proceeds credited against the demolition cost.