Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Annexation Process
Recently, there have various comments on The Lancaster News website relating to the annexation of property into the City of Lancaster, and it is clear that there is a degree of misconception in how the annexation process works.
In South Carolina, unlike North Carolina, a municipal corporation may annex property only with the consent of the property owner.
The property must be contiguous to the existing corporate limits. It is important to note that for the purposes of law, property separated from the corporate limits by a road, railroad, or water body is still considered to be contiguous to the municipal corporation.
A municipal corporation may encourage annexation of contiguous property by conditioning the provision of services, such a municipal water and sewer, on the annexation into the municipal corporation of the property to be served.
In South Carolina, unlike North Carolina, a municipal corporation may annex property only with the consent of the property owner.
The property must be contiguous to the existing corporate limits. It is important to note that for the purposes of law, property separated from the corporate limits by a road, railroad, or water body is still considered to be contiguous to the municipal corporation.
A municipal corporation may encourage annexation of contiguous property by conditioning the provision of services, such a municipal water and sewer, on the annexation into the municipal corporation of the property to be served.
Steve Willis has kindly provided a link to a presentation on annexation requirements prepared by the Municipal Association of South Carolina -
http://www.masc.sc/SiteCollectionDocuments/Annexation-Incorporation/Annexation_PPT.pdf
