South Carolina Community Association Laws
HOAs (Title 27, Ch. 30), Condominiums via the Horizontal Property Act (Title 27, Ch. 31), Manufactured Home Parks (Title 27, Ch. 47), corporate acts (Title 33), SCDCA complaint reporting. Reference hub
South Carolina takes a light-touch approach: the 2018 Homeowners Association Act adds transparency (recording, notices, access) and channels complaints to the Department of Consumer Affairs for annual reporting, but there’s no DBPR-style regulator or mandatory ADR. Condominiums run under an older Horizontal Property framework with bylaws and assessments enforceable through courts. Manufactured home parks are covered separately with landlord-tenant-style protections. Bottom line: owner rights exist—but enforcement is primarily through corporate law and the courts, so procedure and paper trails matter.
At a glance
- HOAs: Title 27, Ch. 30 (recording/notice, access, magistrates’ jurisdiction, SCDCA complaint reporting).
- Condominiums: Horizontal Property Act (bylaws recorded with master deed; lien/foreclosure for unpaid assessments).
- Manufactured Home Parks: Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (written leases, eviction grounds, owner/tenant duties).
- Corporate form: Most associations under Nonprofit Act (Title 33, Ch. 31).
- Managers: No state CAM license; property manager licensing exists (rental management).
Primary Statutes
Homeowners’ Associations — Title 27, Chapter 30
Recording & notice requirements; access to records; magistrates’ jurisdiction; SCDCA complaint data/report.
Horizontal Property Act (Condos) — Title 27, Chapter 31
Master deed & bylaws; council of co-owners; assessments, liens & foreclosure; records.
Manufactured Home Parks — Title 27, Chapter 47
Park rental agreements, owner/resident obligations, rent changes, eviction grounds.
Corporate Acts — Title 33
Nonprofit governance (meetings, records, members/directors); general corporate provisions.
Nonprofit Act: Title 33, Ch. 31
Business Corp Act: Chs. 1–20 (1988 Act)
Popular Sections (direct links)
HOA (Title 27, Ch. 30)
Condos (Horizontal Property Act)
Manufactured Home Parks (Ch. 47)
Corporate / Nonprofit (Title 33)
Administrative Guidance / Related Rules
SC has no dedicated HOA/condo administrative code. Useful official guidance below.
SCDCA HOA Overview
Horizontal Property (Condos)
Fair Housing (State Rule)
Property Manager Licensing (not CAM-specific)
What’s required in SC?
- No dedicated “CAM” license. Community association management is not separately licensed.
- Property Manager License (LLR Real Estate Commission) is required for managing rentals for others; see §40-57-510.
Professional credentials (optional)
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Declaration/CC&Rs or Master Deed, Bylaws, Rules/Regs, Board Resolutions.
- Recording rule (HOAs): Record governing documents and rules/regs annually by Jan 10 to remain enforceable (see §27-30-130).
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, ADA (where applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD.
- State/local overlays: SC Fair Housing rules; local ordinances; building and life safety codes.
SCDCA Contacts (HOA Complaint Intake & Reports)
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
File an HOA Complaint (portal & forms)
- Phone: (800) 922-1594 (SC only) · (803) 734-4200
- Email: SCDCA@scconsumer.gov
- Annual report: HOA Complaint Reports
SCDCA collects data and publishes reports; it does not regulate HOAs or adjudicate disputes.
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; always verify on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 9, 2025