Pawleys Island, SC Law Not Sure I'm Getting The Truth

[R3dnck]

I live in Pawleys Island mainland in the Georgetown County South Carolina. I asked around to try and get to know the local laws.

Without giving away my address I asked local Gov and police what were the current laws on chickens in my county and town. I was told repeatedly that in Georgetown county SC, you have to be in an area zoned agriculture and farmland. No where in the county can you have chickens if not zoned that way.

I personally know of more than 10 families that have chickens in Pawleys Island that keep then under wraps and I would never rat them out.

When I asked local police about existing homes with chickens I was told they let them slide unless there were complaints. I was told that is about to soon change and now is not a good time to start up raising them.

He named a home off the south causeway and a house near the old Gullah museum buy the dump that was soon to get a visit from them. They were told that all future sites they found would be forced to remove their animals or face stiff fines by the county.

I'm not sure if this is the truth but that does appear to be the law written into Georgetown county code. I would like to here more from any local before I make up my mind to add some hens to the backyard I have just over 1/2 acre. Thanks for any help.

I say move to the upstate I never have any problems raising my chickens plus who doesn't love the mountains lol

 

[kaywould]

As I understand it, except for areas zoned agricultural (where you can continue to do whatever you want and have roosters), for every 10,000 sq ft of land you can have 3 hens up to a max of 12 hens ( for sq ft greater than 40). Any hoa with a different rule has to enforce it themselves

 

[SCHenny]

I just found this FaceBook page....apparently there is going to be a third reading on January 26th 2016

2nd floor county courthouse 129 Screvens St 5:30P


https://www.facebook.com/Save-Our-Chickens-Georgetown-1706060009610110/?hc_location=ufi&pnref=story

 

[SCHenny]

As of last night 1/26/2016. If you are in certain zoned areas you are allowed to have chickens in Georgetown County SC ...there are restrictions....please see the FaceBook Page : Save Our Chickens Georgetown for more details. Please see Amber Bradshaws Comments in the Visitor Post section of the page

https://www.facebook.com/Save-Our-Chickens-Georgetown-1706060009610110/?fref=ts

 

[SCHenny]

Please see the FaceBook Page Save Our Chickens Georgetown for updated information on this subject.

 

[waddles99]

Hi, in my town the ordinance is that you cannot have chickens without permission from the health department. Basically, all you have to do is get a written permit from the heath department by having them inspect your lot size, coop, and proximity to neighbors. I would guess you could do the same.

 

[sgarlockdavis]

Update - Georgetown County, SC now allows 4 hens at a minimum of 10,000 sq ft, max 16 hens. No roosters. If you have a mandatory HOA with deed restrictions then you can be fined or sued.