7 Things a South Carolina County Can Fine You for in Your Own Yard

Owning your home doesn’t always mean you can do anything you want in your yard.

South Carolinians may find that county rules say otherwise, and what applies can change depending on where you live.

Here’s what’s worth knowing before a notice lands in your mailbox.

Note: This is general information, not legal advice. County ordinances and penalty amounts are subject to change, so confirm the current rules with your county’s code enforcement office.

1. Fireworks After 10 p.m.

Richland County’s fireworks ordinance makes it unlawful for you to use, shoot or ignite fireworks between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

On the nights of July 4 and New Year’s Eve, the ban applies only from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. on July 5 and January 1.

The civil penalty is up to $500 for a first offense, up to $750 for a second and up to $1,000 for a third or later, counted within five years.

A county fire or law enforcement official may also seize any fireworks you hold in violation of the ordinance.

2. Barking Past 15 Minutes

Greenville County’s barking rule calls a dog a nuisance if it barks continuously for more than 15 minutes in a way the ordinance calls persistent and excessive.

Any neighbor whose property is within 200 feet of the barking can file a complaint.

The first written notice goes up on the property where your dog is.

A second complaint brings a final written notice, also posted on the property.

A third complaint needs an animal control officer’s verification, a time-stamped video and a second neighbor’s written statement, and then a summons goes to the dog’s owner.

Section 4-23 of the animal ordinance makes a violation a misdemeanor, punished within the jurisdictional limits of magistrate’s court.

State law caps that court at a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, under S.C. Code Section 22-3-550.

Each day counts separately.

3. Tall Grass and Weeds

Richland County’s unsafe and noxious vegetation ordinance covers grass or weeds over 12 inches high on lots in a developed area.

You have 14 days after the notice to cut it.

If you don’t cut it within that window, it’s a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.

Greenville County’s property maintenance code uses a taller trigger, covering weeds or plant growth over 18 inches.

A violation is a misdemeanor, punished within the jurisdictional limits of magistrate’s court, and each day after due notice counts as a separate offense.

4. Dumping on Your Property

Under Section 12-60 of the Richland County code, it’s unlawful to dump garbage, appliances, tree limbs or brush anywhere in the unincorporated county except at an approved landfill.

If someone dumps on your property and you didn’t sufficiently limit access, the ordinance counts that as you allowing it, which is unlawful.

Section 12-60 lists no penalty.

The general penalty in Section 1-8(a) applies, which is a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.

Clean fill is the exception.

It covers sand, dirt or stone you put down with your written permission to raise the elevation of your land, as long as it’s leveled and not unsightly.

5. Yard Equipment at Night

Richland County’s noise ordinance uses distance as its test, so noise plainly audible 50 feet from its source can be a violation.

Domestic power equipment such as chain saws, sanders and lawn and garden tools is exempt when you run it after 6 a.m. and no later than 10 p.m.

If you run a chain saw at 10:30 p.m., the exemption no longer covers you.

The fine is up to $500.

Each violation counts separately.

Complaints from three or more people count as prima facie evidence that a regulated sound violates the section.

6. Tethering Your Dog

York County lets you tether a dog only while a responsible adult is outdoors with it and the dog is under the owner's direct control.

The tether has to be at least 10 feet long with swivels on both ends, and it can't weigh more than 10 percent of the dog's body weight.

A trolley line, a fence or a kennel also works, and a fence or kennel has to measure at least 6 feet by 10 feet.

Section 55.19 sends the penalty to Section 55.99.

That section makes a violation a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 per offense or up to 30 days in jail.

7. Burning in a Subdivision

Greenville County's Section 15-6 makes it unlawful to kindle or maintain open burning inside or within 200 feet of a platted residential subdivision or zoned area, unless an exemption applies.

The R-S residential suburban zoning district is excepted.

A violation is a misdemeanor, punished within the jurisdictional limits of magistrate's court.

State law caps that court at a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, under S.C. Code Section 22-3-550.

The exemptions include cooking fires and campfires for recreation or warmth.

The fire chief for the area where you burn enforces the rule.

County Penalty Limits

State law lets a county pass ordinances that are consistent with the state Constitution and general law, under S.C. Code Section 4-9-25.

Section 4-9-30(14) lets a county attach penalties to its ordinances up to what a magistrate's court can impose.