The use of all land and structures within the unincorporated jurisdiction of Oconee County shall comply with all of the provisions contained within this chapter. As such, no building or structure, no use of any building, structure, or land; and no lot of record which did not exist on the effective date of these regulations, or any amendment hereof, shall be created, established, altered, moved, diminished, divided, eliminated, or maintained in any manner except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, or such amendment, respectively. No standard set forth in this document shall in any manner be construed to conflict with the provisions of the South Carolina Right to Farm Act or the South Carolina forestry regulations in effect on the date of adoption of these regulations, or any amendment hereof.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

The county administrator shall appoint a zoning official(s) to enforce the provisions of this chapter. County zoning officials shall keep records of all variances and amendments to this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

In the event the provisions of these regulations are found to be violated, the party deemed responsible for the violation shall first be notified in writing, and ordered to discontinue the lack of conformity. Said notification shall include the specific nature of the violation, and the corrections and remedies necessary to come into compliance.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

No permit shall be issued by the Oconee County Zoning Officer, their designee, or the board of zoning appeals except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

(1)

A zoning permit shall be issued administratively for permitted uses and uses permitted with conditions. Appropriate fees may be established by county council from time to time.

(2)

For those uses requiring a special exception, the zoning official shall not grant a zoning permit unless ordered to do so by the board of zoning appeals.

(3)

No permit shall be issued by any department or agency of Oconee County prior to certification of zoning compliance by the zoning official.

(4)

Unless specifically waived by the planning director or his/her designee, permitted uses with conditions and uses permitted by special exception shall require a site plan review prior to the issue of a zoning permit. The zoning official may require a site plan review for permitted uses when necessary to insure compliance.

(5)

An approved site plan shall consist of two sets of plans drawn to an appropriate engineering scale, one of which shall be appropriately stamped and/or signed and returned to the applicant upon approval. The following items shall be noted on all site plans:

a.

The shape and dimensions of the lot on which the proposed building is to be located.

b.

The location of said lot with respect to adjacent rights-of-way.

c.

The shape, dimensions, and location of all buildings, existing and proposed, and required setbacks.

d.

The nature of the proposed use of the building or land, including the extent and location of the use.

e.

The location and dimensions of off-street parking and loading space and means of ingress and egress.

f.

The location of all required buffers.

g.

Required driveway/encroachment permits.

h.

A copy of any required stormwater and/or erosion control permits.

i.

Any other information deemed necessary by staff for enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

(6)

No permanent utility connection shall be authorized, and no certificate of occupancy will be issued, until the zoning official certifies a required site plan is complete, and an approved "as built plan" is on file.

(7)

Copies of documents related to zoning permits and board of zoning appeals activities shall be kept on file by the zoning official, and shall be subject to all provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Appropriate fees to cover costs related to research and copying may be established by county council from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

A temporary use certificate may be issued by the zoning official. Such certificates shall be issued for a specific period of time, with none to exceed 15 days, and shall be subject to any and all limitations deemed to be necessary to protect the character of the district affected. In the event said temporary use proves to result in no apparent negative impacts, a temporary use certificate may be renewed for additional 15-day periods; however, no more than three such renewals shall be approved.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

Decisions made by the zoning official related to the issuance or denial of a zoning permit or temporary use certificate may be appealed to the board of zoning appeals pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Laws.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

All complaints of violations shall be submitted in writing on a form provided by the zoning official. The complaint shall include a detailed description of the alleged violation, as well as the complainant's name, address and signature. Complainants must reside within the same planning district in which the potential violation lies. All complaints shall be acted on within ten days of submission. Anonymous reports of alleged violations will not be considered valid.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

Violation of the provisions of this chapter found after the issuance of a land use permit, building permit, or other permit or certificate issued by Oconee County contingent on an approved zoning permit or temporary use certificate shall constitute a voiding or cancellation of all issued permits, and subject the applicant to the full extent of penalties provided for by law.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

Any person or entity violating the regulations set forth in this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500.00 or imprisoned for 30 days or both.

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)

(Ord. No. 2012-14, § 1, 5-15-2012)