Opinion ID: 2508577
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Inconsistency with the Constitution or General Law

Text: Finally, we turn to whether the Ordinance is inconsistent with the Constitution or general law of this state. Ports Auth., 368 S.C. at 394-95, 629 S.E.2d at 627 ( citing Hospitality Ass'n, 320 S.C. at 224, 464 S.E.2d at 117). Plaintiffs contend that the Ordinance directly conflicts with section 44-55-1020 of the South Carolina Code because that section allows individual generators of waste and municipalities to dispose of waste in any manner allowed by the county health departments, and the Ordinance requires disposal of solid waste at a facility designated by Horry County Council. Plaintiffs' reliance on this section is specious. The Ordinance was not enacted with section 44-55-1020 in mind, [15] and because the Ordinance does not pertain to Horry County's authority to issue licenses and franchises for the collection and disposal of waste under sections 44-55-1010 to -60, section 44-55-1020 has no bearing on the question of the Ordinance's validity in this case. [16] Having determined that the Ordinance does not conflict with the SWPMA or DHEC regulations, which allow for county regulation of solid waste, we find the Ordinance is not inconsistent with section 44-55-1020. Plaintiffs have not directed us to any other inconsistent statutory or constitutional provisions. Therefore, the Ordinance is a valid exercise of Horry County's authority.