Model Ordinances

The model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best management practices contained in the links below are strictly for the purpose of providing guidance to local governments in applying techniques that may assist in moving toward more sustainable development practices. These documents provide suggestions to local governments about actions they might take to implement the goals and principles associated with sustainable development. The idea is to give elected officials and local government staff a starting point for addressing the issues that confront their communities and our state.

The intent of the editors of these model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best management practices was to produce samples that give local governments a great deal of operational and fiscal flexibility. However, these model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best managements practices are provided here only for review, reference, and example purposes. No document contained on this disk constitutes a legal document or the provision of legal advice. For the model ordinance, policy, resolution or best management practice to be valid and legally enforceable it must be modified, reviewed, and approved by the appropriate local government board or council and the local government attorney or other legal counsel. Many of the provisions in this document are required under state or local laws while others are optional. All applicable state and local laws must be considered when implementing any of the ordinances, policies, resolutions or best management practices. All guidance and authority for what local governments must and may include in their ordinance is derived from the South Carolina State Planning Enabling Legislation.

Many of the ordinances included on this disk assume that the local jurisdiction has adopted local comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, land development regulations and other regulatory plans in accordance with applicable state laws. Many of the ordinances, policies, resolutions and best management practices are stand-alone documents that do not require the implementation of a comprehensive plan.

Local Governments seeking assistance on developing and drafting ordinances, policies, resolutions or best management practices may contact their local Council of Governments for assistance. Local governments also may obtain assistance from the South Carolina Association of Counties, and the Municipal Association of South Carolina or a private consultant.

These ordinances are provided for reference and example purposes only and do not constitute the provision of legal advice. By opening any file on this disk, you acknowledge having read and understood the Model Ordinance Disclaimer.

All documents are in PDF format.
Name Description
Model Ordinance Disclaimer Provides Disclaimer for use of models.   Informs users that these are not legally binding  
Model Ordinance Introduction Provides format for use of models.   
Basic Strategies for Sustainable Growth Review of basic strategies considered when compiling models.
Codes and Ordinances Worksheet Worksheet to assess how environmentally friendly local ordinances are.
Adquate Public Facilities Ordinance What is an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and Sample Ordinance
ASHRAE 89 Field Inspection Form Energy Code Checklist
Air Quality Advisory Plan Air Quality Plan Model
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Basis for using alternative fuel vehicles
Buffer Requirements for River, Lakes and Streams Vegetative buffer requirements
Building and Energy Codes in South Carolina Types of building and energy codes enforceable in South Carolina
Building Codes-Green Building What is green building?
Connectivity for Existing Ordinances connectivity for streets, trails, bikeways, etc.
Conservation Easements What is a conservation easement and sample easement.
Conservation Subdivision and Open Space Development What is a conservation subdivision and model wording.
Employee Commute Options-Baseline Survey Baseline survey for determining reduced employee commute miles
Engine Idling Control Vehicle engine idling policies
Engine Idling Policy for Local Governments Vehicle engine idling for local governments
Green Fleet Policies What are green fleets?
Green Power in South Carolina What is green power and where can you get it in South Carolina.
IECC Field Inspection Form Energy Code Checklist
Landscaping and Tree Preservation Wording for Existing Ordinance Sample wording to add to existing ordinances.
Lot Averaging Sample wording to add to existing ordinances.
Open Space Requirements -Wording for Existing Ordinance Sample wording to add to existing ordinances.
Parking Efficiency Regulations Sample wording to add to existing ordinances.
Pedestrian Flow and Community Amenities Pedestrian friendly design standards
Pedestrian Oriented Design Pedestrian friendly design standards
Pervious Surfaces Information on pervious surfaces  
Resource Protection Overlay Sample ordinance for overlay district.
SCDHEC-Riparian Buffer Sample Ordinance SCDHEC sample riparian buffer
SCDHEC-Open Burning Regulations SCDHEC sample open burning regulations.
Shared Parking Model Ordinance for shared parking between uses
Shared Parking Agreement Sample shared parking agreement.
Tree Ordinance   Tree preservation detailed
Tree Ordinance-Brief Tree preservation
Urban Growth Boundary What is and Urban Growth Bounday and Sample Ordinance
Vegetative Swales Landscaped swales rather than curb and gutter

South Carolina Examples:

Other Examples: