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Council introduces code changes to make property and zoning violations civil infractions, schedules hearings after public concern
Summary
Dorchester County introduced amendments to align county code with state standards — converting some misdemeanor violations to civil infractions, raising maximum fines to $5,000, and adopting the International Property Maintenance Code; a public commenter urged the council to adopt a tiered approach for financially vulnerable residents.
Dorchester County Council introduced several code amendments intended to update enforcement tools and bring local code into alignment with state standards, and scheduled public hearings for the proposals.
Dr. Webb, the county’s director of planning and zoning, told the council the changes package would amend multiple chapters of the Dorchester County Code — including building, electrical, HVAC, minimum livability, plumbing and stormwater sections — so that select violations become county infractions subject to civil fines up to $5,000. "We are doing that to take our antiquated code and make it consistent with the state," Dr. Webb said, adding that the change removes criminal language and makes enforcement civil rather than criminal.
On property maintenance, Dr. Webb said adopting the International Property Maintenance Code would allow the county to address unsafe occupied housing — for example, homes without running water or electricity — that current local rules do not permit the county to remedy. "This enhances our ability to address issues like this," Dr. Webb said, arguing the code gives more enforcement tools while allowing local edits.
Several councilors stressed the $5,000 maximum will not be the default for routine cases and asked that the public hearings allow residents to comment. During the public-comment period, David Beverly of Crenshaw urged the council to reconsider raising the caps, warning that larger fines could worsen housing and financial hardship for residents and suggesting a tiered system that accounts for financial hardship and prioritizes compliance assistance over punishment.
The council introduced the measures and directed staff to schedule public hearings; motions to introduce each amendment were seconded and the council recorded ayes in favor. The transcript does not record named movers or a detailed roll-call tally for those introduction votes. The council will receive public testimony at the scheduled hearings before any ordinance is adopted.
