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 has no statute creating an assessment lien or foreclosure power. An HOA's authority to assess, lien, and foreclose comes entirely from its recorded declaration. Under the South Carolina Homeowners Association Act, § 27-30-130, governing documents must be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to be enforceable.

South Carolina's Homeowners Association Act adds transparency duties: § 27-30-140 requires at least 48 hours' notice before a meeting raising the annual budget, and § 27-30-150 gives homeowners access to inspect and copy the annual budget and membership lists. Meeting, election, and record rules otherwise follow nonprofit-corporation law.

South Carolina enforces covenants and architectural rules through the recorded declaration, not a statutory standards code. The Homeowners Association Act, § 27-30-130, makes recording the condition of enforceability: unrecorded governing documents, rules, and amendments cannot be enforced against owners.

South Carolina law sets no statutory fine cap or hearing procedure. An HOA's power to impose monetary penalties comes from its recorded declaration. Under the Homeowners Association Act, § 27-30-160, magistrates court has concurrent jurisdiction over monetary disputes arising under the Act, subject to the $7,500 jurisdictional limit.

South Carolina protects U.S. flag display against HOA restrictions under S.C. Code § 27-1-60, but has no enacted statute protecting rooftop solar from HOA covenants — solar bills remain unpassed. The HOA Act itself adds recording and budget-notice transparency rather than substantive homeowner-use rights.

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.

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-710, a landlord may terminate for nonpayment if rent stays unpaid for 5 days after it is due and the landlord gives written notice. For other material lease breaches, the tenant must receive written notice and at least 14 days to cure before the lease can be terminated.

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-440, landlords must comply with building and housing codes, keep the premises fit and habitable, and maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and other systems. If the landlord fails to repair, the tenant may, under § 27-40-630, do limited repair-and-deduct work capped at $500 or one month's rent.

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.

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-530, a landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice before entering the unit and may enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. The tenant in turn may not unreasonably withhold consent to legitimate entry for repairs, inspections, or showings.

South Carolina has no statute capping residential late fees or setting a grace period before one applies. Late charges are governed entirely by the lease, and the Act treats agreed late charges as part of recoverable rent. A late fee must still be reasonable and disclosed in the agreement to be enforceable.

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-770, either the landlord or tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by giving the other at least 30 days' written notice before the termination date. A week-to-week tenancy requires at least 7 days' written notice. A fixed-term lease simply expires at the end of its stated term.

South Carolina law preempts local rent control. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-39-60, no county or municipal corporation may enact or enforce any ordinance regulating the rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial property. There is no statewide rent cap and no South Carolina city has rent control, so increases are limited only by the lease.

South Carolina has no statute capping rent or requiring advance notice before a rent increase. During a fixed-term lease the rent is locked until the term ends. For a month-to-month tenancy a landlord effectively raises rent by giving the 30-day notice needed to change or end the tenancy.

South Carolina sets no statutory cap on a residential security deposit. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410, when a tenancy ends the landlord must refund the deposit, less any accrued rent and damages, and itemize every deduction in a written notice within 30 days after termination, delivery of possession, and the tenant's demand, whichever is later.

Under S.C. Code § 15-67-210, occupation of land is presumed subordinate to the legal owner unless the property has been "held and possessed adversely" for 10 years before an action is brought. South Carolina's adverse-possession period is 10 years, and possession must be open, continuous, exclusive, and hostile.

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.