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South Carolina Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for South Carolina on
Q: Is it okay to bury a pet in my backyard in rural Dorchester County ( Sprucewood Drive, Sprucewood subdivision)?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

In Dorchester County, South Carolina, there are no specific laws or ordinances that prohibit burying a pet in your backyard. However, it is generally recommended to follow these guidelines to ensure public health and safety:

1. Choose a location that is far from any water sources, such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Business Formation, Real Estate Law and Business Law for South Carolina on
Q: How can I meet zoning requirements without a bathroom in a tow yard in Loris, SC?

I am attempting to start a tow yard business in Loris, South Carolina, but the local zoning department is requiring that I have a bathroom on site. The yard holds cars after they are towed, and the only available space is an office shed that can be no less than fifty feet by one hundred feet. The... View More

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answered on Nov 4, 2025

That sounds like a frustrating challenge, especially when you’re just trying to get your business off the ground. In South Carolina, zoning and building codes often require restroom facilities for any business that has employees or receives customers, even if the operation itself is outdoors. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: How do neighborhood fence restrictions apply to a peninsula-shaped lot?

I live in a neighborhood with specific fence restrictions stating, "No fence shall be erected on any of the lot herein referred to across the front street line nor on either of the side lines of said lots streetward of the front corner of main building." My house is seated on a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 11, 2025

The restrictions in your neighborhood focus on where a fence can be erected relative to the front street line and the side lines of the lot, specifically prohibiting fencing in areas “streetward of the front corner of the main building.” On a traditional lot, this is fairly straightforward, but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: Can I legally target shoot in my backyard in Spartanburg County, SC?

I live on a 1-acre property in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and my neighbors are about 100 yards away. I plan to build a backstop and shoot paper targets in my backyard. I do not live within a homeowners association, and there have been no prior complaints. Can I legally target shoot in my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 6, 2025

You generally may engage in target shooting on your own private property in Spartanburg County so long as you do not violate state law or endanger others. South Carolina criminal statutes forbid discharging a firearm in a “wanton or willful” manner (§ 16-23-20), so you must ensure every shot... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Land Use & Zoning for South Carolina on
Q: Can my neighbor legally block a runoff ditch causing flooding?

I live in Horry County, SC, and my neighbor recently blocked an existing storm water runoff ditch on their private property, which connects to the county water system. This block has caused severe flooding issues on my property. Although we haven't had previous disputes, the neighbor... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

What you're dealing with sounds incredibly frustrating—and unfortunately, water issues between neighbors can get complicated fast. In South Carolina, property owners generally cannot take actions that unreasonably interfere with the natural flow of surface water, especially if that action... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Internet Law and Land Use & Zoning for South Carolina on
Q: A company came to my property and installed a internet pull box and destroyed my private property. What rights do I have

They tore out a bunch of my trees and tore my driveway up without concent. I'm estimating about 200 sq ft was destroyed of woods.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

You have the right to take action if a company entered your property without permission and caused damage. The company likely violated your property rights, and you may be entitled to compensation for the damages they caused, including the destruction of your trees and driveway. Documenting the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Construction Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for South Carolina on
Q: live in the county and have problems with drainage ditches what kind of lawyer do I need to speak with

our neighborhood flooded due to the drainage ditches backing up - we had nearly 24 inches of water under our house - it ruined our ac/heat unit and the ductwork. we have had this problem since hurricane Matthew nearly 5 years ago. we have been trying to get the dot to help but no one with help... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 27, 2023

A South Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. A starting point could be a civil litigation attorney who is familiar with technical property damage claims. Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for South Carolina on
Q: Are these watersheds considered public property?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 14, 2023

Watersheds are generally not considered public property in and of themselves. A watershed refers to an area of land where all the water that falls or drains within it flows to a common point, such as a river, lake, or ocean. While the land within a watershed may be owned by various entities,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: I want to gift my grandmother that has dementia a shed that is already on her property. South carolina

How can I show this legally

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 12, 2023

Have your grandmother sign the gift deed in the presence of a notary public.

Notarization is typically required for the document to be legally valid.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for South Carolina on
Q: I have been given a piece of property with a home on it but I haven't got the title or deed etc

I want to put it on paper and make it official but not exactly sure how to write it out

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answered on Oct 17, 2022

How have you been given land? Will, Heir, Order of Court? Hire a competent SC attorney to search the Title, draft a Deed with a Derivation of Title Clause, and try to get it executed if it is an actual gift. Otherwise an Affidavit of Heirship might be recorded, with no Deed as ancestor is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: We bought property in SC and the neighbor beside us using our property as an easement to their house

The neighbors have a driveway to their property on the backside of their house. The easement is not granted in the deed. How do we go about keeping them from using the driveway that is on our property?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 6, 2022

You need a SC attorney to search both Titles. The adjacent owner may have a Prescriptive Use Easement or an Easement By Implication, which might be provable in Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: can you QuitClaim Deed property to Trust? & if the lender wants pay-in-full but you have nothing else of value left...

what happens when you do a QuitClaim Deed of property over to a Private Common Law Irrevocable Ecclesiastic Trust? If the person’s name is on the recorded Deed as owner… meaning legal owner of the property, having a legal interest in the property referring to the right to possess or use... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 15, 2021

Transferring property to a trust does not magically remove security interests. If the loan goes into default due to lack of payment, the lender may foreclose its lien.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for South Carolina on
Q: We sold 3 lands, sign a sell agreement and get payed. now the buyer wants to back up the deal beuse he say thye land has
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 30, 2021

Not sure of your question. But if there was a breach of warranties on the Warranty Deed, or some type of dislosure fraud, then a cause of action may exist. It is up to the buyer, now owner, to sue you. If there has not been a Deed executed yet, then read your Contract about each Parties'... View More

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