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Dorchester County adopts code amendments converting violations to civil infractions with higher maximum fines
Summary
The Dorchester County Council approved a package of code changes that convert certain building, plumbing, zoning and property-maintenance violations into county infractions with a maximum fine of $5,000, while staff emphasized progressive enforcement and councilors said fines would be used as a last resort.
Dorchester County Council on March 17 approved four related code amendments that convert a range of local building, plumbing, zoning and property-maintenance violations into civil county infractions and set a maximum penalty of $5,000.
The changes, filed as bills 2026-1 through 2026-4, update county language to align with state standards, County staff said. A public hearing on the first bill attracted questions about the jump from a previous $1,000 cap to $5,000; resident Sharon Smith asked whether the increase was intended to match state penalties. Director Webb replied that the amendment makes county penalties consistent with state law and emphasized the county’s “progressive approach” to enforcement, including…
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