S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-360
Service of complaints or orders; posting and filing copies
Operative Text
Complaints or orders issued by a public officer pursuant to an ordinance adopted under this article shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered mail, but if the whereabouts of such persons is unknown and cannot be ascertained by the public officer in the exercise of reasonable diligence and the public officer shall make an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of such complaint or order upon such persons may be made by publishing it once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed and published in the county or, in the absence of such newspaper, in one printed and published in the municipality and circulating in the county. A copy of such complaint or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises affected by the complaint or order. A copy of such complaint or order shall also be filed with the clerk of court of the county in which the dwelling is located and such filing of the complaint or order shall have the same force and effect as other lis pendens notices provided by law.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-360, when a public officer issues a housing-related complaint or order, the law sets out specific methods for delivering that notice to affected parties. Personal service or registered mail is the primary approach, but if a person's whereabouts cannot be found after reasonable effort, the officer may publish the notice in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Additionally, a copy must be physically posted on the affected property and filed with the county clerk of court, where it carries the legal weight of a lis pendens notice—meaning it signals to the public that the property is subject to a pending legal action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a complaint or order under S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-360 should be aware that official notice can reach them through personal delivery, registered mail, newspaper publication, or posting on the property itself. Because a copy is also filed with the county clerk of court and functions as a lis pendens, the existence of such an order becomes part of the public record and can affect property transactions. Operators who keep current contact information on file with local authorities generally make it easier to receive timely notice and respond before the matter escalates.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-360 establishes that tenants and other affected persons are entitled to formal notice of any housing complaint or order issued under this article, whether delivered personally, by registered mail, or—if the person cannot be located—through newspaper publication. A copy of the order must also be posted visibly on the property, which means residents on-site have a way to learn about official actions affecting their dwelling. Tenants who believe proper notice procedures were not followed, or who want to understand how a filed order may affect their housing situation, may find it useful to review the public record at the county clerk of court or to contact a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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