Neighbors press county to strengthen enforcement and registration for off‑campus fraternity parties

Neighbors told the Oconee County Council on May 6 that off‑campus properties being used as fraternity party houses are causing recurring noise, underage‑drinking and public‑safety concerns, and they urged the county to enforce existing rules and consider new restrictions.

Lee Hill, a resident, said music and parties at a fraternity house on Dubose Circle were audible 1.4 miles away and that deputies on duty had wrongly told him quiet hours begin at 11 p.m. Hill asked whether citations had been issued; he told the council that none had been and asked county law enforcement to provide documentation that rules were being enforced. “She said, has there been a citation written? Has there been a ticket issued? And the answer is no,” Hill said, referring to a Clemson University official.

Council members discussed possible responses and compared approaches used by the City of Clemson, which applies occupancy standards tied to the number of bedrooms (for example, a cited model limiting occupancy to eight people for a three‑bedroom structure). One council member moved that county staff investigate Clemson's model and return with recommendations for an ordinance or restrictions; the motion was seconded and discussed. Council members also agreed to place the topic on the law enforcement committee agenda for May 20 and to ask county staff to reach out to the sheriff's office about the existing party registration process handled by the sheriff's office.

Council staff explained that the county maintains two different processes: a registration handled through the sheriff’s office that identifies party contact information and a noise‑ordinance permit administered through county administrative staff. Several council members said the registration is not a permit and suggested it should be reviewed for stronger conditions or enforcement. “That registration process is also sheriff's office policy… I'll reach out to the sheriff… to see reach out to sheriff Cranshaw,” a county official said during the discussion.

Council members also noted potential enforcement options including citations for noise or underage drinking; one member suggested underage‑drinking enforcement would prompt university action. No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; the council established follow‑up steps: staff research Clemson's occupancy approach, sheriff's office staff and captain Dixon will be asked to attend the law enforcement committee meeting on May 20, and staff will report back with recommended language or options.