S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-340
Power of county to declare nuisances not impaired
Operative Text
Nothing in SECTION 31-15-330 shall be construed to impair or limit in any way the power of a county to define and declare nuisances and to cause their removal or abatement by summary proceedings or otherwise.
Section 31-15-340 of the South Carolina Code clarifies that the authority granted elsewhere in Chapter 15 does not reduce or restrict a county's existing power to identify conditions as nuisances and to eliminate them through summary proceedings or other legal mechanisms. In other words, the provision acts as a savings clause, ensuring that county-level nuisance authority remains fully intact alongside any state-level housing regulations. The two layers of authority—state and county—are meant to coexist rather than conflict.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-340, property owners should be aware that county governments retain independent authority to declare conditions on a property a nuisance and to pursue swift abatement or removal actions, separate from any state-level proceedings. Compliant operators generally monitor their properties against both state housing standards and local county nuisance ordinances, since a county may act on its own authority without being constrained by Section 31-15-330. Staying current with local county codes and responding promptly to any county notices helps operators avoid parallel enforcement actions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 31-15-340 preserves a county's full power to address nuisance conditions in housing, meaning tenants who encounter hazardous or blighted property conditions may have recourse not only under state law but also through their local county government's nuisance-abatement processes. This dual layer of authority can provide an additional avenue for raising concerns about unsafe or substandard living conditions. Tenants seeking to understand which local body handles nuisance complaints in their county may find guidance through local government offices or a tenant-rights organization familiar with South Carolina housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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