§ 18-2. Grass, weeds, trash, etc.; littering.

(a)

It is unlawful for any person, including the owner, agent, or occupant of such premises, to maintain or permit to be maintained, any premises, including vacant lots or land, upon which grass, weeds, undergrowth, trash, garbage, household appliances, furniture, discarded clothing, building materials, glass, wood or miscellaneous refuse is permitted or caused to accumulate or grow in any manner which is or may become a public nuisance, or to place or leave the same adjacent to his premises or in any public place unless done pursuant to ordinances provided for its collection.

(1)

The terms "weeds" and "rank vegetation," as used herein, include poison ivy, kudzu, plants of obnoxious odors, weeds and grasses causing hayfever, those which serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes or as a refuge for snakes and rats or any growth that creates a fire or traffic hazard or a nuisance due to unsightliness. Weeds, grass, undergrowth and other plants, except ornamental plants and trees, more than 12 inches in height are deemed to be unsightly.

(2)

Nothing herein shall be applicable to such grasses, weeds, undergrowth and rank vegetation more than 50 feet from any building, structure, recreational area (not including the width of any intervening street) or to such grass, weeds, undergrowth and rank vegetation more than 30 feet from a street right-of-way.

(b)

It is unlawful for any persons, including the owner or occupant of such premises to maintain or permit to be maintained, kudzu, honeysuckle, ivy or any other woody or vine-type plant, ornamental or otherwise, upon any premises, including vacant lots or land, when such plant grows beyond the bounds of the premises so as to be entwined in fences, buildings, trees, public utilities or otherwise encroaches upon another's property.

(c)

It is unlawful for any property owner within the town to allow drainage ditches on his property to become obstructed so as to back up water on property owned by anyone else, including property owned by the town. Upon failure of the owner, after notice to keep such drainage ditches open, the town shall abate the condition at the expense of the owner (S.C. Code 1976, § 5-7-80 et seq.).

(Code 1988, § 6-1-2; Ord. No. 07-02(part), 2007)