Hello REALTORS®,
Advocacy is an important part of what your REALTORS® Association does on behalf of its members. Last week, a group of members from your Western Upstate Association of REALTORS® traveled to Columbia to talk with our representatives in the SC House and Senate. Please thank your fellow Realtors for taking time out of their busy schedules to be advocates for a couple of days.
From week-to-week, it sometimes doesn’t always appear that a lot is happening in our local governments. But after we looked over our reports to the Board of Directors for the last couple of months, we realized that a lot has happened and we want to share that information with you.
Anderson County
Anderson County has considered more than 30 new development-related ordinances since July 2024. Last year, they hired a consultant to help them rewrite and organize their development and zoning ordinances. These are two of the most recent ordinances:
- Require a Planning Commission review and approval of multifamily and townhome developments of more than 32 units. Currently, county staff reviews and approves these developments based on the ordinances enacted by County Council. County Council could give the ordinance final approval on March 17.
- Increase the minimum lot size for single-family lots with public water and sewer from 10,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. Enacted February 3.
Pendleton
Pendleton Town Council, at their January 6 meeting, referred these ordinances proposals to the Planning Commission:
- Riparian Buffer Ordinance (mirrors Anderson County’s ordinance that was approved in 2025).
- Tree Ordinance
- Sidewalk Interconnectivity Ordinance
- Citywide Design Standards
- Lighting Ordinance
Pickens County
Pickens County Council enacted a six-month moratorium, beginning December 15, 2025, on several categories of developments related to these ordinances which they have tasked the Planning Commission to develop:
- Solar Farms
- Highway 8 Overlay (South of Easley)
- RVs as Dwelling Units
- RV Parks and Campgrounds
- Commercial Lodging (hotels/motels/inns)
- Data Centers
The county also is working on revisions to its buffer ordinance. They also recently voted to defeat another impact fee proposal and incentives for development of affordable housing.
City of Clemson
The City of Clemson has quietly worked on several ordinances this year, including:
- Final adoption of the 20-year Comprehensive Plan.
- A Neighborhood Conservation Overlay for Coldwater Springs and Sloan-Poe. The ordinance includes new restrictions for Guest Cottages (accessory dwelling units).
- Requiring townhomes to be included in the city’s Rental Housing Registration program.
- Meanwhile, the Planning Commission is working on ways to incentivize middle housing (townhomes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units), which the city has nearly regulated out of existence in recent years.
Oconee County
Oconee County has had to contend with the removal of the County Administrator and the hiring of a new administrator, which has slowed work on some ordinance proposals. They also recently found that the calculation of property tax receipts was incorrect, leading to a substantial shortfall in the county’s budget. But the Planning Commission has continued to work on these two ordinances:
- Construction standards for private roads.
- Data center development standards.
In fact, nearly all jurisdictions in the Western Upstate, and the SC General Assembly, are working on various legislative proposals to regulate data centers.
Did the School Bond Referendum Pass in Anderson District 3?
The short answer is yes, according to the school district—but the official results aren’t in. The referendum was held on March 10. The school district will be able to borrow about $65 million to fund various school projects. Homeowners can expect about a $100 increase in their property taxes as a result.
Consider Supporting RPAC
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Elections are also an important way that you participate in your government. Your association’s objective is to help elect candidates who share the Realtor position that a vibrant and healthy real estate market is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy. Of course, you must balance your personal and business interests when you vote.
More than 90% of Realtors in the Western Upstate are registered to vote, which is amazing. But just 31% supported RPAC in 2025.
You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs
