South Carolina law
Municipal Laws in South Carolina.
South Carolina local government operates under the 1895 Constitution and the S.C. Code. South Carolina has 46 counties and numerous municipalities. South Carolina operates under a distinctive "home rule" framework enacted in 1975 (Act 283) — the Home Rule Act consolidated county government into four forms (Council, Council-Supervisor, Council-Administrator, Council-Manager). The Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-10 et seq.) governs transparency. Sovereign immunity is partially waived under the Tort Claims Act (S.C. Code § 15-78-10 et seq.) with damages caps ($300K per incident, $600K per occurrence).
Last verified: 2026-04-17
State law
Key South Carolina Statutes
1975 Act 283 consolidated county government into four forms. Counties have significant local autonomy but remain subject to specific state-law limitations.
Requires public meetings to be open with advance notice and public records to be disclosed. Agencies must respond within 10 business days.
Limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Damages caps: $300,000 per incident, $600,000 per occurrence. Numerous enumerated exceptions retain immunity.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.
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