Eviction in Florence County, South Carolina
Where eviction cases are filed in Florence County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Florence County
- Eviction court
- Florence County Magistrate Court (Summary Court) — Magistrate (summary) court Court page
- Notice before filing (state law)
- If rent is unpaid and not paid within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. If the written lease contains the statutory notice language in bold, conspicuous type, the lease itself serves as the notice. South Carolina rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,117/month HUD
- Renter households
- 18,764 (36% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Florence County
Eviction cases in Florence County are heard by the Florence County Magistrate Court (Summary Court) (Magistrate (summary) court).
- Florence Magistrate Office — 180 N. Irby Street (MSC-W), Florence, SC 29501; (843) 665-0031 or (843) 661-7001; Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 · website
- Effingham Magistrate Office — 6719 Friendfield Road, Effingham, SC 29541; (843) 665-6690 or (843) 665-9091; Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 · website
- Lake City Magistrate Office — 345 Ron McNair Boulevard, P.O. Box 39, Lake City, SC 29560; (843) 394-5461; Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 · website
- Timmonsville Magistrate Office — 307 E Smith Street, P.O. Box 190, Timmonsville, SC 29161; (843) 346-7472 or (843) 346-5852; Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 · website
- Johnsonville Magistrate Office — 111 West Broadway St., P.O. Box 904, Johnsonville, SC 29555; (843) 380-9211; Tue-Fri 8:30-4:30 · website
- Olanta Magistrate Office — 220 East Main Street, P.O. Box 362, Olanta, SC 29114-0362; (843) 396-9056; Mon-Thu 8:30-4:30 · website
- Pamplico Magistrate Office — 124 E Third Ave, P.O. Box 367, Pamplico, SC 29583; (843) 493-0072; Mon-Thu 8:30-4:30 · website
Florence County has seven magistrate offices (Florence, Effingham, Lake City, Timmonsville, Johnsonville, Olanta, Pamplico). The county posts a magistrate civil FAQ (https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.florenceco.org/public/Magistrate/civil/FAQMagistrate.pdf).
The South Carolina eviction process
South Carolina state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Florence County:
- Notice: 5-day nonpayment notice (or conspicuous lease clause) / 14-day breach notice / 30-day month-to-month notice (§§ 27-40-710, 27-40-770, 27-37-10)
- Landlord applies to the magistrate; magistrate issues a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause (§ 27-37-20)
- Tenant has 10 days after service to vacate or request a hearing/show cause (§ 27-37-20); posting-and-mail service allowed after two failed personal attempts (§ 27-37-30)
- If tenant does not respond, warrant/writ of ejectment issues (§ 27-37-40); if contested, hearing (jury on demand) (§ 27-37-60)
- If the tenant raises defenses, rent must be paid into court (§ 27-40-790)
- Writ of ejectment executed by sheriff/constable; occupants given 24 hours to leave before forcible removal (§ 27-37-160)
- Appeal to circuit court stays ejectment only if the tenant files an affidavit to pay rent as it comes due (§ 27-40-800, rewritten by 2026 Act 252, eff. June 30, 2026)
Full South Carolina eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Florence County
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Florence, SC HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $948 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $953 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,117 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,434 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,588 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Florence County: $954/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Florence County
Free legal help
- South Carolina Legal Services - Florence Office — 320 South Coit St, Florence, SC 29501; (843) 413-9500; toll-free (877) 238-3418.
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Florence County
Other South Carolina counties
- Eviction in Greenville County (Greenville)
- Eviction in Richland County (Columbia)
- Eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
- Eviction in Horry County (Myrtle Beach)
- Eviction in Spartanburg County (Spartanburg)
- Eviction in York County (Rock Hill)
- Eviction in Lexington County (Lexington)
- Eviction in Berkeley County
- Eviction in Anderson County
- Eviction in Beaufort County
- Eviction in Aiken County
- Eviction in Dorchester County
- Eviction in Pickens County
Related
- South Carolina landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in South Carolina
- South Carolina eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in South Carolina (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Florence County?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Florence County?
What is the fair market rent in Florence County?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.