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Colleton County Council advances $15 countywide business registration to target nuisance operations
Summary
Council approved first reading of a $15 countywide business registration ordinance, which officials say is distinct from a gross‑receipts business license and is intended to provide a tool to address nuisance businesses; councilmembers asked for more legal detail at second reading.
Colleton County Council on Sept. 6 approved first reading of an ordinance to establish a $15 countywide business registration, a step county leaders say is aimed at giving officials a tool to address nuisance businesses.
County Administrator Kevin Griffin told the council the fee "is not a business license, which is based on gross revenue, this is a $15.00 business registration fee," and said the registration arose from the sheriff's office identifying problem operations. Councilman Phillip Taylor moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 22‑O‑12; the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: Council members said the registration is intended to make it easier to identify and engage with businesses that generate complaints — such as noise, sanitation, or unlicensed activity — while remaining within the limits set by state law. Chairman Steven Murdaugh and Dr. Joseph Flowers asked staff to provide more detail at second reading about the statutory authority and the ordinance's enforcement scope so the public and council can understand the county's leverage.
What the ordinance does and doesn't say: According to the administrator’s briefing, the proposed measure is a registration requirement, not a gross‑receipts license; Griffin said the ordinance language and state law will be spelled out at second reading. Council discussion did not include language changes on the floor; staff indicated further details will be available at the next reading.
Context from residents: The registration was discussed the same night residents raised long‑running complaints about a nearby club they said operates without proper permitting and causes safety and health problems. Councilman Art Williams told residents after public comment that the registration ordinance is "the first sign of progress in trying to solve some of the issues you are having" but emphasized the county must follow legal processes to avoid exposure to lawsuits.
Next steps: Council approved first reading by unanimous vote and requested that county staff provide statutory citations and explicit enforcement mechanics at second reading before final adoption.
