Florence County, SC Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Florence County Code § 21-1 declares it a public nuisance for any owner or occupant in the unincorporated area to let refuse, debris or abandoned property accumulate on a property which may provide a harborage for rodents, vermin, and other pest, depreciate neighboring property values, or otherwise endanger health, safety and welfare. Section 21-2(2) adds inoperable cars, junk, old lumber, tires, furniture and similar debris left outdoors and visible from a public place or neighboring property to the list of specific nuisances that attract vermin.

Separately, the county's building-maintenance code addresses rodent entry points directly: § 21-147(3), governing exterior structures, requires that all foundation walls be maintained and free from open cracks and breaks and kept in such condition so as to prevent the entry of rodents and other pests. Enforcement starts with a written complaint filed at the Florence County Planning and Building Inspection Office by an owner or occupant of property within 1,500 feet, per § 21-3(a), though the code official can also act on a substantially clear anonymous complaint.

After investigation the code official serves a notice describing the violation and a correction deadline, and offers an informal conference to reach a written abatement agreement, per § 21-4. If the owner fails to respond, execute, or honor that agreement, the county can summon the matter to Florence County Magistrate Court and, if necessary, have Public Works or a contractor clean or secure the property, charging the cost back to the property as a tax lien. 00 for a third or subsequent offense, under § 21-5.