Horry County, SC Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Horry County Code § 10-19
- Prohibited use
- Rat/snake refuge, debris collecting
- Ditch duty
- Keep clear of weeds, brush, litter
- Emergency abatement
- 24-hour notice, public-health threat
- Cost recovery
- County lien on property
Summary
Horry County Code Sec. 10-19(a) bars any owner, agent, or occupant from letting a lot serve as a mosquito breeding place, refuge for rats and snakes, collecting place for debris, trash or litter, or a fire hazard. Ditches, ponds, and pipes must be kept clear of litter, weeds, and brush.
No owner, agent, occupant or lessee of property shall permit such property to serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes, as a refuge for rats and snakes, or as a collecting place for debris, trash or litter, or a fire hazard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-19 imposes exterior property maintenance duties on unincorporated Horry County lots, occupied or vacant. Owners must keep drainage ditches, ponds, and pipes free of litter, debris, weeds, and brush that could block water flow, cause flooding, or breed mosquitoes. Stagnant water in open containers, ditches, tires, or pools is declared an unlawful nuisance under Sec. 10-19(c). During a public-health threat such as a Zika or West Nile outbreak, county officials may abate the nuisance if the responsible party fails to act within 24 hours of notice. Vacant lots must also stay free of illegally dumped material under Sec. 10-16.
Violations & Fines
Enforced under Sec. 10-42 as a misdemeanor: $200-$500 and up to 30 days jail for a first offense; the county may abate hazards and recover costs as a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I maintain a lot I own but don't live on?
Who clears drainage ditches on my property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Horry County
Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina property maintenance overview
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