South Carolina Code 49-30-70. Identification and removal of unpermitted structures; notice of proceeding
(B) Upon receiving notice of the existence of an unpermitted structure, the Attorney General may maintain an action to enjoin the use of the unpermitted structure and seek an order from the court that the unpermitted structure be removed. If the Attorney General does not commence an action within ninety days after receiving notice pursuant to this chapter, a citizen of this State may bring an action to enjoin the unpermitted structure’s use and seek an order from the court requiring its removal. The prevailing party may recover the cost of the action, including attorney’s fees. All costs associated with removing unpermitted structures must be borne by the owner.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 49-30-70
- Department: means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. See South Carolina Code 49-30-30
- Removal: means to completely extricate the entire structure from the public waters of this State. See South Carolina Code 49-30-30
- Structure: means a structure located upon any public waters of this State, whether the structure is floating upon the waters and is made fast by the use of lines, cables, anchors, or pilings, or a combination of these, or is built upon pilings embedded in the beds of the public waters of the State when the structure is being used, has been used, or is capable of being used as a place of habitation, dwelling, sojournment, or residence for any length of time; is not being used or is not capable of being used primarily as a means of transportation upon these public waters; and is not owned, occupied, or possessed pursuant to a permit issued by the department. See South Carolina Code 49-30-30
- Unpermitted structure: means a structure whose owner did not obtain a permit pursuant to this chapter or a structure remaining after the expiration or revocation of its permit. See South Carolina Code 49-30-30
(C) No proceeding against the owner of an unpermitted structure shall be commenced unless ten days’ written notice is given by the party instituting the action to the owner or his agent. If the party bringing the action cannot determine who owns the unpermitted structure, he may give notice of his intention to bring an action by forwarding a notice of his intention to a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the unpermitted structure is located with a request that it be published at least once a week for four consecutive weeks and by posting notice in at least three public places within the county where the unpermitted structure is located during the same four-week period. A notice by publication must describe the unpermitted structure, its location, and the intention of the party maintaining the action to enjoin the use of the unpermitted structure and obtain a court order to have it removed.