S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-70
Rights of persons affected by orders
Operative Text
Any person affected by an order issued by a public officer may within sixty days after the posting and service of the order petition the circuit court for an injunction restraining the public officer from carrying out the provisions of the order and the court may, upon such petition, issue a temporary injunction restraining the public officer pending the final disposition of the cause. Hearings shall be had by the court on such petitions within twenty days or as soon thereafter as possible and shall be given preference over other matters on the court's calendar. The court shall hear and determine the issues raised and shall enter such final order or decree as law and justice may require. In all such proceedings the findings of the public officer as to facts, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive. Costs shall be in the discretion of the court. The remedies herein provided shall be exclusive remedies and no person affected by an order of the public officer shall be entitled to recover any damages for action taken pursuant to any order of the public officer or because of compliance by such person with any order of the public officer.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-70, anyone affected by a public officer's housing order has a 60-day window to challenge that order by petitioning the circuit court for an injunction. The court is required to prioritize these hearings, scheduling them within 20 days when possible, and may issue a temporary injunction while the case is pending. Importantly, the factual findings of the public officer carry significant weight—they are treated as conclusive if supported by evidence—and the judicial review process described in this section is the only available legal remedy, meaning no monetary damages can be recovered for actions taken under such an order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a public officer's order under S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-70 should be aware that compliance with the order generally shields them from damage claims by others affected by that compliance. Operators who believe an order was improperly issued typically document their objections and act within the 60-day petition window if they intend to seek judicial review. Because the court treats the public officer's factual findings as conclusive when supported by evidence, maintaining thorough property records is a practice commonly associated with effective compliance management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 31-15-70 establishes that tenants or other individuals directly affected by a public officer's housing order have the right to petition the circuit court for an injunction within 60 days of the order being posted and served. The court is directed to hear these petitions on an expedited basis, generally within 20 days, and can issue a temporary injunction to pause the order while the case proceeds. Tenants seeking to understand whether this provision applies to their circumstances may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.