South Carolina Ordinances (2026)

South Carolina applies the statewide adopted International Residential Code, including IRC Appendix Q for tiny houses under 400 square feet, providing a uniform construction baseline that local jurisdictions must follow.

South Carolina regulates beekeeping under Title 46, Chapter 33, requiring registration of apiaries and disease inspections through Clemson University. The framework applies statewide and supports both hobby and commercial beekeepers across all counties.

South Carolina regulates dangerous dogs at the state level under Title 47, Chapter 3. The state does not impose breed-specific bans, leaving most breed restrictions to local discretion, while owner liability for dangerous dogs applies statewide.

South Carolina prohibits possession of large wild cats, non-native bears, and great apes as pets under the Large Wild and Exotic Animal Act. The state law preempts new private ownership and requires registration of grandfathered animals.

South Carolina prohibits intentional feeding of black bears statewide and restricts baiting of game wildlife under DNR regulations. These rules apply uniformly across the state to protect public safety and wildlife management.

While zoning height limits remain local, structural height and construction-type rules in South Carolina are governed by the statewide-adopted International Building Code under SC Code Title 6, Chapter 9, applying uniformly to all jurisdictions.

South Carolina prohibits the sale of marijuana for any purpose, so no licensed dispensaries exist. Local zoning cannot authorize cannabis retail because state law preempts the entire field of controlled substances.

South Carolina state law prohibits cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana for any purpose, including medical and personal home grow. Cities cannot legalize home cultivation under state preemption.

South Carolina general law authorizes municipalities and counties to enact juvenile curfew ordinances under their police powers, while statewide truancy and child welfare statutes apply uniformly to all minors.

Commercial drone operations in South Carolina are governed by federal FAA Part 107 rules, with state criminal restrictions for prison overflight and surveillance. Local governments cannot regulate flight or commercial operations.

South Carolina state law restricts recreational drone use over correctional facilities and prohibits drone harassment of hunters and anglers. Federal FAA rules govern airspace, but state law adds specific criminal restrictions.

South Carolina preempts local governments from setting minimum wage rates above the federal floor under Section 6-1-130 of the state code.

South Carolina prohibits local governments from mandating paid sick leave or paid family leave benefits on private employers beyond state law.

South Carolina blocks local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances on private employers under broad employment preemption authority.

South Carolina's Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act gives DHEC OCRM exclusive authority over critical areas in the eight coastal counties. State permits preempt local zoning for activities below the high water mark.

South Carolina's Sediment Reduction Act establishes statewide minimum erosion and sediment control standards for construction sites. DHEC enforces uniform technical requirements that apply regardless of local jurisdiction.

South Carolina's Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act establishes statewide minimum standards for land-disturbing activities. DHEC implements the program, with delegated authority to qualifying local governments meeting state criteria.

South Carolina adopts the International Residential Code and International Building Code statewide under Title 6, Chapter 9, requiring uniform pool barrier standards including a minimum 48-inch fence height around residential swimming pools.

Retaining wall construction in South Carolina is governed by the statewide-adopted International Residential Code and International Building Code under SC Code Title 6, Chapter 9, requiring permits and engineering for walls above specified heights.

South Carolina permits the sale and use of consumer fireworks year-round to persons 16 and older under Title 23 Chapter 35. The state preempts local bans, though municipalities may regulate time and place of discharge.

South Carolina law requires anyone burning yard debris outdoors to notify the SC Forestry Commission before ignition. Burning trash, building materials, or debris during a state burn ban is prohibited statewide.

South Carolina regulates LP-gas (propane) storage, transport, and installation under Title 40 Chapter 82. The LP-Gas Board licenses dealers and enforces NFPA 58 standards uniformly statewide, preempting inconsistent local rules.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has statewide authority to declare wildfire emergencies, issue burn bans, and suppress forest fires. Title 48 designates protected forestland and grants suppression powers across all counties.

South Carolina allows concealed carry under permit and, since 2024, lawful permitless carry by eligible adults aged 18 or older.

South Carolina law preempts local governments from regulating firearms, ammunition, components, and related accessories beyond what state law expressly authorizes.

South Carolina permits open carry of handguns by eligible adults under the 2021 Open Carry With Training Act and the 2024 permitless carry law.

South Carolina allows lawful adults to carry a loaded handgun in a private vehicle without a permit under the 2024 constitutional carry expansion of Section 23-31-215.

South Carolina's Home-Based Food Production Law allows home producers to make and sell certain non-hazardous foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license. State law establishes uniform statewide requirements.

South Carolina requires family childcare homes serving more than a limited number of unrelated children to register or be licensed by DSS. State law establishes uniform health, safety, and staffing standards statewide.

South Carolina requires every private and public employer in the state to verify the work authorization of new hires using the federal E-Verify program.

South Carolina prohibits any local government or law enforcement agency from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

South Carolina law permits rainwater harvesting statewide without state-level restrictions on residential collection. The state recognizes rainwater as a usable resource and does not require permits for typical residential rain barrels.

South Carolina's Drought Response Act establishes a statewide framework for declaring drought stages and implementing mandatory water-use restrictions through DNR and local water suppliers, applicable to all jurisdictions.

Aircraft noise regulation in South Carolina is preempted by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and FAA regulations. Neither the state nor municipalities may directly regulate aircraft operations, flight paths, or in-flight noise.

South Carolina state law governs abandoned vehicle procedures, requiring law enforcement involvement, owner notification, and mandatory waiting periods before disposal. Title 56 establishes uniform statewide rules that local ordinances must follow.

South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs eviction statewide, allowing termination for nonpayment, lease violations, or end of term without requiring just cause and preempting inconsistent local rules.

South Carolina law expressly prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting rent control ordinances on private residential or commercial property, preempting all local rent regulation statewide.

South Carolina law limits how local zoning can restrict bona fide agricultural operations and farm-related activities on land used for farming.

South Carolina protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when surrounding land uses change under the Right to Farm Act.

South Carolina imposes a statewide 7% sales and accommodations tax on short-term rentals of fewer than 90 continuous days. Hosts must register with SCDOR, collect the tax from guests, and remit it monthly. Local accommodations taxes are layered on top.

South Carolina prohibits local governments from regulating or banning auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar single-use items.

South Carolina law blocks local bans on polystyrene foam food service containers under the auxiliary container preemption statute.

South Carolina preempts local ordinances regulating plastic straws and similar single-use food service items under the auxiliary container statute.

South Carolina law limits homeowner association authority to prohibit solar collectors. The Solar Rights Act and Homeowners Association Act protect residential solar installations from unreasonable HOA restrictions, applying uniformly statewide.

South Carolina requires building and electrical permits for solar photovoltaic installations under statewide-adopted codes. The Distributed Energy Resource Program Act and Energy Freedom Act establish uniform rules for residential solar interconnection and net metering across the state.

South Carolina enforces pool barrier and fencing rules through statewide adoption of the International Residential Code. All residential pools deeper than 24 inches must have compliant barriers, gates, and alarms uniformly across the state.

South Carolina requires building permits for swimming pools under the statewide adoption of the International Residential Code. The Building Codes Council mandates uniform standards, with local jurisdictions issuing permits and conducting inspections.

South Carolina regulates public and semi-public swimming pools under DHEC Regulation 61-51, applying uniform safety, sanitation, and operator requirements statewide. These rules preempt local variations on chemistry, lifeguarding, and equipment standards.

South Carolina prohibits sale or distribution of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21 years of age statewide.

South Carolina has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products, and local flavor bans face preemption challenges under state tobacco law.

South Carolina regulates retail sale of vape and electronic smoking devices through state tobacco licensing and youth-access laws under Title 16 and Title 12.

The South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (Title 44 Chapter 96) bans certain materials from landfills statewide and sets a 40% recycling goal. Lead-acid batteries, used oil, tires, and yard waste are banned from disposal.