Sanitation and environmental standards.

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 7-116

in effect

Sec. 7-116. - Sanitation and environmental standards. (a) Scope of section. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum conditions of property and buildings to be used for human occupancy. Every building or structure occupied by humans, except as otherwise exempted, and the premises on which it stands, shall comply with the conditions herein prescribed as they may apply thereto. (b) Compliance with exterior property area standards required for occupancy. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein, or premises, which does not comply with the requirements of the property maintenance code adopted by this article and paragraph (c) of this article. The public safety and housing officer shall cause periodic inspections to be made of dwelling premises to secure compliance with these requirements. (c) Grading and drainage. All premises shall be graded and maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any building or structure located thereon. (d) Compliance with exterior structure standards required for occupancy. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or multi-family dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or portion thereof for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the requirements of the exterior structure standards the property maintenance code and paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section. (e) Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water into the dwelling or multi-family dwelling. (f) Exit doors. Every door available as an exit shall be capable of being opened from the inside, easily and without the use of a key. (g) Compliance with interior structure standards required. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling, multi-family dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or portion thereof, for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the requirements of paragraphs (h) through (j) of this section and the interior structure standards of the property maintenance code. (h) Freedom from dampness. In every dwelling, multi-family dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, and rooming unit, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure, as required by the building code. (i) Interior stairs and railings required. Stairs shall be provided in every dwelling, multi-family dwelling, rooming and boarding house as required by the building code. (j) Maintenance of stairs. All interior stairs of every structure used for human habitation shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be so constructed and maintained as to be safe to use and capable of supporting a load as required by the provisions of the building code. (k) Responsibility of owner to exterminate rodents. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 307.5 of the Code adopted by section 7-71 of this article, whenever infestation of rodents is caused by failure of the owner to maintain any dwelling or multi-family dwelling in a rodent-proof condition, extermination of such rodents shall be the responsibility of the owner. (Code 1975, §§ 10-80, 10-81, 10-83, 10-87, 10-102, 10-103, 10-107, 10-108, 10-110, 10-111, 10-118; Ord. No. 2021-118, § 3, 8-17-21)

Source: City of Charleston, South Carolina, Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/sc/charleston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH7BUBURE_ARTIVHO_DIV3MIST_S7-116SAENSTFetched: 11/7/2026