Article I: Purpose, Scope, and Authority

This chapter shall be known as the "Building Codes Ordinance of the City of Walhalla, South Carolina."

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority conferred by the South Carolina Code of Laws upon the City.

The purpose of this chapter shall be to establish rules and regulations for the construction, alteration or demolition of buildings, issuance of permits pertaining thereto and the duties of the Building Official.

§ 123-4 Violations and penalties.

The violation of any of the codes or regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor, and any person violating such codes or regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished in accordance with this section. Each day such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense. In case of any violation of, or proposed violation of, the codes or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, the Building Official or other appropriate authority of the City, or any adjacent or neighboring property owner who would be damaged by such violation, may, in addition to other remedies, apply for injunctive relief, mandamus or other appropriate proceedings to prevent, correct or abate such violation or threatened violation.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $200 per offense per day of violation.

Any person who fails to correct a violation or submit a plan for correcting a violation within seven days after citation or written notice shall be cited and subject to a civil fine not to exceed $2,000 per day of violation.

Any person removing or defacing any notice posted on any unsafe building/structure or unfit dwelling or dwelling unit by any authorized officer under the terms of this chapter shall be similarly prosecuted and punished upon conviction.

Any person, individually or as a representative, interfering in any way with the enforcement of the codes and regulations of this chapter, or receiving rentals after the expiration of the time limits set forth in any notice or order issued by the Community Development Department, shall be similarly prosecuted and punished upon conviction.

§ 123-5 Frontage requirements.

No building permit shall be issued and no building other than an accessory building shall be erected on any piece of property in the City unless such piece of property shall have frontage on a road or street.

§ 123-6 Exemption for public schools.

No fees shall be charged and the City shall refrain from plan review, permit issuance and on-site inspections when the project involves a public school.

If the school district desires inspections and/or plan review by the City Building Official, fees shall be charged and normal departmental procedures followed.