The purpose of the Clarendon County Planning & Public Service Commission is to provide a continuous planning program to manage the growth and development of Clarendon County to provide for sound economical growth while protecting our natural resources, preserving our agricultural lands and encouraging residential growth in existing suburban and residentially compatible areas. The policies, goals and objectivesof this plan are set out in the Clarendon County Comprehensive Plan. The regulations used to enforce the plan are known as the Clarendon County Unified Development Code.

The Unified Development Code brings together all of the different county laws and ordinances relative to land use and development. These are all the laws that have been put into place by the Clarendon County Council to obtain the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. They consist of: Zoning classifications and districts, listings of permitted and non-permitted uses for each district; site development criteria; subdivision regulations; road construction regulations; building codes; erosion control and stormwater management regulations; flood damage prevention regulations; and public water and sewer service regulations. The Unified Development Code also provides for fines and penalties for failure to comply with the regulations. The combination of these regulations creates the minimum standards for land development and building construction in Clarendon County to protect our citizens and resources – present and future.

All citizens in Clarendon County should be aware that the planning, zoning and building codes are in effect county wide. Before you divide, sell or buy property, you should contact the Planning & Public Service Department for zoning and subdivision information to determine whether or not you can divide or use the property for the purpose intended. To obtain zoning certification in most cases, you simply need a tax map number and/or a recorded plat. Before you begin construction to erect any structure or place, replace or move a manufactured home in Clarendon County, you must contact the Planning & Public Service Department for zoning certification and a building or manufactured home permit.