reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 5-7-80 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-80. Ordinances relating to upkeep of property within municipality.

 (1) Any municipality is authorized to provide by ordinance that the owner of any lot or property in the municipality shall keep such lot or property clean and free of rubbish, debris and other unhealthy and unsightly material or conditions which constitute a public nuisance.  (2) The municipality may provide by ordinance for notification to the owner of conditions needing correction, may require that the owner take such action as is necessary to correct the conditions, may provide the terms and conditions under which employees of the municipality or any person employed for that purpose may go upon the property to correct the conditions and may provide that the cost of such shall become a lien upon the real estate and shall be collectable in the same manner as municipal taxes.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-37; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-90. Trial of persons charged with violations of ordinances of municipality or laws of State.

 The municipal judge or judges of a municipality shall speedily try all persons arrested and incarcerated with violations of the ordinances of the municipality or the laws of the State within their jurisdiction in a summary manner without a jury unless jury trial is demanded by the accused. Trial must be held within ten days after the arrest or at a time scheduled by the court, in which event the trial is deferred. The municipal judge shall have the same power as a magistrate to compel the attendance of witnesses and require them to give evidence upon the trial before them of any person for the violation of ordinances of the municipality or the laws of this State subject to Section 5-7-30.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-38; 1975 (59) 692; 2012 Act No. 263, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.  Effect of Amendment  The 2012 amendment deleted "mayor or" twice before "municipal judge", substituted "arrested and incarcerated" for "charged", substituted "ten days" for "seven days", and made other nonsubstantive changes.
SC Code § 5-7-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-100. Investigations of departments of municipal government by governing body; compelling attendance of witnesses; subpoenas; contempt.

 The governing body of the municipalities or its agents may investigate any department of the municipal government and any office thereof and such governing body shall have the same power which a magistrate has to compel the attendance of witnesses and to require them to give evidence under oath in the same manner as is customary in the courts of this State. In case of contumacy of any person or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, any circuit court of this State or circuit judge thereof within the jurisdiction of which the municipality is located, upon application by the governing body of the municipality or its designated agent, may issue to such person an order requiring him to appear before the governing body of the municipality to produce evidence if so ordered or to give testimony on the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey an order of the court may be punished as a contempt thereof. Subpoenas shall be issued in the name of the municipality and shall be signed by a majority of the governing body. Subpoenas shall be issued to such persons as the governing body may designate.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-39; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-110 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-110. Municipal police officers; contracting to provide police protection beyond corporate limits of municipality.

 Any municipality may appoint or elect as many police officers, regular or special, as may be necessary for the proper law enforcement in such municipality and fix their salaries and prescribe their duties.  Police officers shall be vested with all the powers and duties conferred by law upon constables, in addition to the special duties imposed upon them by the municipality.  Any such police officers shall exercise their powers on all private and public property within the corporate limits of the municipality and on all property owned or controlled by the municipality wheresoever situated; provided, that the municipality may contract with any public utility, agency or with any private business to provide police protection beyond the corporate limits. Should the municipality provide police protection beyond its corporate limits by contract, the legal description of the area to be served shall be filed with the State Law Enforcement Division, the office of the county sheriff and the Department of Public Safety.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-40; 1975 (59) 692; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 62.
SC Code § 5-7-120 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-120. Municipalities authorized to send law enforcement officers to other political subdivisions of State upon request in emergency situations.

 (A) The governing body of any municipality may upon the request of the governing body of any other political subdivision of the State, send any law enforcement officers to the requesting political subdivision in cases of emergency. A complete record of the request, together with the names of the officers sent, must be recorded in the minutes of the next regular or special meeting of the governing bodies of both the requesting and the sending political subdivisions. Failure to record the request at the next regular or special meeting of the governing bodies does not affect the applicability of the tort liability coverage. Expenses of the requested services may be borne by the requesting municipality.  (B) When law enforcement officers are sent to another municipality pursuant to this section, the jurisdiction, authority, rights, privileges, and immunities, including coverage under the workmen's compensation laws, and tort liability coverage obtained pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 78 of Title 15, which they have in the sending municipality are extended to and include the area in which like benefits, authorities, and tort liability coverage are or could be afforded to the law enforcement officers of the requesting political subdivision. When so sent they have the same authority to make arrests and to execute criminal process as is vested by law in the law enforcement officers of the requesting political subdivision, but this section does not extend the effect of the laws of the sending political subdivision.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-41; 1975 (59) 692; 1978 Act No. 435, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 36, Section 1.
SC Code § 5-7-130 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-130. Conflict of interests of municipal officer or employee.

 Any municipal officer or employee who has a substantial financial interest in any business which contracts with the municipality for sale or lease of land, materials, supplies, equipment or services or who personally engages in such matters shall make known that interest and refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in his capacity as a city officer or employee in matters related thereto.  Any city officer or employee who wilfully conceals such a substantial financial interest or wilfully violates the requirements of this section shall constitute malfeasance in office and upon conviction shall forfeit his office or position. Violation of this section with the knowledge express or implied of the person or corporation contracting with or making a sale to the city shall render the contract or sale voidable by the municipal governing body.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-42; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-140 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-140. Extension of police jurisdiction and authority of municipalities bordering on high tide line or high water mark of navigable body of water.

 (A) The corporate limits of any municipality bordering on the high-tide line of the Atlantic Ocean are extended to include all that area lying between the high-tide line and one mile seaward of the high-tide line. These areas are subject to all the ordinances and regulations that may be applicable to the areas lying within the corporate limits of the municipality, and the municipal courts have jurisdiction to punish individuals violating the provisions of the municipal ordinances where the misdemeanor occurred in the area defined in this section.  (B) The corporate limits of any municipality bordering on the high-water mark of a navigable body of water, other than the Atlantic Ocean, are extended to include all that area lying between the high-water mark and the low-water mark. These areas are subject to all of the ordinances and regulations that may be applicable to the areas lying within the corporate limits of the municipality, and the municipal courts have jurisdiction to punish individuals violating the provisions of the municipal ordinances where the misdemeanor occurred in the areas defined in this section.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-43; 1975 (59) 692; 1986 Act No. 4576; 1996 Act No. 420, Section 3, and 1996 Act No. 443, Section 2.
SC Code § 5-7-145 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-145. Lifeguard and safety services provided by coastal municipalities.

 (A) Each municipality bordering on the Atlantic Ocean is authorized to provide lifeguard and other safety related services on and along the public beaches within its corporate limits. A coastal municipality may enact and enforce regulations it determines necessary for the safety of all persons on the beach.  (B) Lifeguard services may be provided using municipal employees or by service agreement with a private beach safety company.  If the municipality elects to provide the services by an agreement with a private beach safety company, the following conditions apply:  (1) the municipality shall follow the procedures of the State Procurement Code, as found in Chapter 35 of Title 11, or the procedures of the municipal procurement code, in the awarding of contracts with private beach safety companies;  (2) the agreement between the municipality and private beach safety company may last no longer than seven years;  (3) the municipality may grant the exclusive right to the beach safety company to rent only the beach equipment and to sell only the items to the public on the beach that are allowed by the municipality on the effective date of this section; provided, however, that on and after the effective date of this section there shall be no granting of the right to rent any additional tangible items, or to sell any beverages to the public on the beach, or otherwise, unless and until additional personnel are hired for the additional rentals and additional activities sufficient in number so that employees already employed on the effective date of this section will not be unduly burdened as determined by the appropriate municipal governing body;  (4) lifeguard personnel employed by the private beach safety company must be tested and certified as required by the municipality; and  (5) the conduct of the limited commercial activities granted to the private beach safety company shall not prevent or interfere in a substantial way with the peaceful, recreational use of the public beach by the general public.  (C) Nothing in this section enlarges, restricts, or infringes upon the existing rights of the owners of private property adjacent to the public beaches.  HISTORY: 1999 Act No. 113, Section 21.
SC Code § 5-7-150 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-150. Coastal municipalities' criminal jurisdiction over piers and other structures and waters of the ocean.

 Every coastal municipality has criminal jurisdiction over piers and other structures and the waters of the ocean, a sound, or an inlet within one mile of those portions of the strand within the corporate limits. The corporate limits of the municipality are extended in a straight line from the strand into the ocean, inlet, or sound from the point where the corporate limits of the municipality reach the high-water mark of the strand. If an extension overlaps with the criminal jurisdiction of another political subdivision, the jurisdiction of each political subdivision extends to the equidistant point from the high-water mark of each strand.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-44; 1975 (59) 692; 1991 Act No. 133, Section 1.
SC Code § 5-7-155 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-155. Police jurisdiction over certain streets and highways along which municipal boundaries run.

 If any portion of a street or highway is within the boundary of a municipality, the right of way of the street or highway not within the municipal boundary but touching the boundary is nevertheless considered to be within the boundary of that municipality for purposes of its police jurisdiction.  A street or highway which serves as the boundary between municipalities is under the police jurisdiction of both municipalities regardless of the municipality in which the street or highway is located.  HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 164, Section 1; 1989 Act No. 141, Section 1; 1994 Act No. 414, Section 1.
SC Code § 5-7-160 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-160. Powers of municipality vested in council; quorum.

 All powers of the municipality are vested in the council, except as otherwise provided by law, and the council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the municipality by law. A majority of the total membership of the council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting council business.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-45; 1975 (59) 692; 1976 Act No. 623, Section 3.
SC Code § 5-7-170 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-170. Salaries and expenses of mayor and councilmen determined by council through ordinance.

 The council may determine the annual salary of its members by ordinance; provided, that an ordinance establishing or increasing such salaries shall not become effective until the commencement date of the terms of two or more members elected at the next general election following the adoption of the ordinance, at which time it will become effective for all members whether or not they were elected in such election. The mayor and council members may also receive payment for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within limitations prescribed by ordinance.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-46; 1975 (59) 692; 1979 Act No. 98, Section 1.
SC Code § 5-7-180 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-180. Mayor or councilman prohibited from holding other political office during term elected.

 Except where authorized by law, no mayor or councilman shall hold any other municipal office or municipal employment while serving the term for which he was elected.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-47; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-190 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-190. Mayor pro tempore elected from council membership.

 Immediately after any general election for the municipal council, the council shall elect from its membership a mayor pro tempore for a term of not more than two years. The mayor pro tempore shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, the mayor pro tempore shall serve as mayor until a successor is elected.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-48; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-200 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-200. Grounds for forfeiture of office of mayor or councilman; filling vacancies in office.

 (a) A mayor or councilman shall forfeit his office if he (1) lacks at any time during his term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by the general law and the Constitution; (2) violates any express prohibition of Chapters 1 to 17; or (3) is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.  (b) A vacancy in the office of mayor or council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the next regular election or at a special election if the vacancy occurs one hundred eighty days or more prior to the next general election.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-49; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-210 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-210. Council as judge of election and qualifications of its members and of grounds for forfeiture of their office.

 The council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture of their office and for that purpose shall have power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and require the production of evidence. A member charged with conduct constituting grounds for forfeiture of his office shall be entitled to a public hearing, and notice of such hearing shall be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the municipality at least one week in advance of the hearing. Decisions made by the council under this section may be appealed to the court of common pleas.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-50; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-220 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-220. Appointment and duties of municipal clerk.

 The council under the council and mayor-council forms of government or city manager under the council-manager form shall appoint an officer of the municipality who shall have the title of municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall give notice of council meetings to its members and the public, keep the minutes of its proceedings and perform such other duties as are assigned by council.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-51; 1975 (59) 692; 1978 Act No. 435, Section 2.
SC Code § 5-7-230 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-230. Appointment or election of municipal attorney and judge of municipal court.

 The city council may elect or appoint a municipal attorney and a judge or judges of the municipal court, whose duties shall be as prescribed by law. No mayor or councilman shall be so elected or appointed to serve as municipal judge during his term of office. The provisions of this section do not apply to a mayor who presides over a mayor's court in his capacity as mayor as authorized in Section 5-7-90.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-52; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 5-7-240 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-240. Council required to provide for independent annual audit of financial records and transactions of municipality and agencies funded by municipal funds.

 The council shall provide for an independent annual audit of all financial records and transactions of the municipality and any agency funded in whole by municipal funds and may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Special audits may be provided for any agency receiving municipal funds as the municipality deems necessary. Such audits shall be made by a certified public accountant or public accountant or firm of such accountants who have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the municipal government or any of its officers. The council may, without requiring competitive bids, designate such accountant or firm annually or for a period not exceeding four years, provided, that the designation for any particular fiscal year shall be made no later than thirty days after the beginning of such fiscal year. The report of the audit shall be made available for public inspection. The council may in its discretion accept independent audits of municipal agencies and departments and include such audits in its general report of the audit of the municipality.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-53; 1975 (59) 692; 1977 Act No. 109.
SC Code § 5-7-250 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 5 - Municipal Corporations|Chapter 7 - General Structure, Organization, Powers, Duties, Functions And Responsibilities Of All Municipalities|Section 5-7-250. Council meetings; rules and procedures for meetings; freedom of information; emergency ordinances.

 (a) The council, after public notice shall meet regularly at least once in every month at such times and places as the council may prescribe by rule. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or of a majority of the members.  (b) The council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping minutes of its proceedings which shall be a public record.  (c) Procedures for meetings of a municipal governing body shall not conflict with the provisions of the general laws of the state with regard to freedom of information.  (d) To meet public emergencies affecting life, health, safety or the property of the people, council may adopt emergency ordinances; but such ordinances shall not levy taxes, grant, renew or extend a franchise or impose or change a service rate. Every emergency ordinance shall be enacted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of council present. An emergency ordinance is effective immediately upon its enactment without regard to any reading, public hearing, publication requirements, or public notice requirements. Emergency ordinances shall expire automatically as of the sixty-first day following the date of enactment.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 47-54; 1975 (59) 692.