Opinion ID: 1229656
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: State statutes

Text: The referee concluded Ordinance 5-11(c) was inconsistent with statewide statutes in Title 50 that preempt regulation of watercraft on navigable waters. See S.C.Code Ann. § 50-21-870 (Supp.1997) (no person may operate or be in possession of a personal watercraft while on the waters of this State after sunset or before sunrise); see also § 50-21-820 (Supp.1997) (waterskiing or similar activity not allowed between sunset and sunrise); § 50-21-110 (Supp.1997) (no person may use motorboat, waterskis, or similar device negligently or while intoxicated). While we agree the State has preempted the entire field of regulating watercraft on navigable waters as provided in Title 50, see S.C.Code Ann. § 50-21-30 (Supp.1997), [2] we find no inconsistency with City's regulation of activity on the public beach. In order for there to be a conflict between a state statute and a municipal ordinance, both must contain either express or implied conditions that are inconsistent and irreconcilable with each other. If either is silent where the other speaks, there is no conflict. Wright v. Richland County Sch. Dist. Two, 326 S.C. 271, 486 S.E.2d 740 (1997); Fine Liquors, supra . Here, as provided in § 50-21-30(1), [3] State statutes regulate only activity on the waters of this State and are silent regarding activities on the public beaches. Ordinance 5-11(c), which regulates activity on the public beaches, is not irreconcilable with these statutes and therefore is not inconsistent with the general law of this State.