Eviction Laws in Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington is the county seat and largest town in Lexington County, South Carolina — one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire state. Situated about 13 miles west of downtown Columbia, Lexington functions as the principal suburb of the state capital while maintaining a distinct identity built around Lake Murray, top-rated schools, and a rapidly expanding commercial corridor along U.S. Route 1. The town’s population has reached approximately 24,600, up from 23,568 at the 2020 Census, and the broader Lexington area (including unincorporated communities that share the ZIP codes) accounts for over 111,000 residents. Lexington County itself has grown to roughly 314,000, making it the 6th most populous county in South Carolina and one of the Midlands’ primary engines of residential development.
The rental market here is driven by two overlapping forces: Columbia commuters who want Lexington County’s school districts (Lexington School District One consistently ranks among the top in the state) and Lake Murray lifestyle renters drawn to waterfront or water-adjacent living. About 34% of households in the town are renter-occupied, which is lower than the state average but represents a substantial and growing number of units as apartment construction has boomed along Lake Murray Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and the U.S. 378 corridor. The median household income is $87,126 — well above the state median — and the poverty rate sits at just 5.3% among families, reflecting Lexington’s solidly middle-class and upper-middle-class profile. The median age is 39, younger than many suburban SC markets, driven by young families choosing Lexington for the schools.
Average apartment rent in Lexington runs about $1,523, down 1.9% year-over-year as significant new supply has come online. The majority of rentals (55%) fall in the $1,501–$2,000 per month range, and most of the housing stock is relatively new — 46% of renter-occupied units were built between 2000 and 2009, with another 14% built between 2010 and 2019. This newer construction means fewer habitability issues and less deferred-maintenance risk compared to older markets like Orangeburg or parts of Columbia. Single-family rental demand is strong along the Lake Murray shoreline and in the subdivisions south of town, where median home values sit around $303,000 and many investors purchase homes specifically for the rental market.
South Carolina’s landlord-tenant framework applies fully in Lexington. The 5-day nonpayment notice (or no notice with the statutory lease language under S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)), no security deposit cap, and 24-hour post-judgment removal all apply. Lexington has no rent control, no mandatory rental registration, and no local tenant protections beyond state law. Eviction filings go through the Lexington County Magistrate system, with the primary court for properties in the town of Lexington located at the Old Lexington County Courthouse on East Main Street.
Lexington & Lexington County — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. South Carolina has no statewide rent control and no statute permitting municipalities to enact it. Lexington cannot cap rent increases. Landlords may raise rent with proper notice at lease renewal.
Lexington County’s multi-court magistrate system. Lexington County operates seven Magistrate Court locations spread across the county. For properties within Lexington town limits, file at the Lexington Magistrate Court at 139 East Main Street, Suite B, Lexington, SC 29072 (the Old Lexington County Courthouse / Summary Court Center). Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday. Phone: 803-785-2383. Judge Bradley Melton presides. Other court locations include Oak Grove Magistrate (428 Oak Drive, Lexington 29073), Irmo Magistrate (111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia 29212), Cayce-West Columbia Magistrate (650 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce 29033), Batesburg-Leesville, and Swansea. File at the court that serves your property’s location — call 803-785-2568 (central magistrate services) if you’re unsure which court covers your address.
Lake Murray short-term rental regulations. Lexington County has enacted a short-term rental ordinance within the Lake Murray Residential Overlay District, a 100+ square mile zone around the lake. Properties in this overlay zone that rent for stays of 1–29 days require a county STR permit, must allow county inspections with 24-hour notice, and must maintain guest records for two years. Owners must notify adjacent households and provide a contact number for complaints. The permit is non-transferable — new owners must apply for their own. Outside the Lake Murray overlay, standard state rules apply. All short-term rentals in Lexington County must collect and remit state (6%) and local accommodations taxes.
Apartment development caps. Lexington County Council has considered and in some cases implemented unit caps on new apartment complexes in the western part of the county, limiting developments to 200 units in certain areas along Highway 378 and Lake Murray Boulevard. This policy is driven by school capacity and traffic concerns. For landlords, the supply restriction could support rental rates in the medium term by limiting new competition, but it also reflects the county’s sensitivity to high-density development — multifamily investors should verify zoning approval status before purchasing.
Columbia commuter market. Lexington’s primary demand driver is the Columbia job market. State government, the University of South Carolina, Prisma Health, and Fort Jackson all sit across the Congaree River in Richland County. Lexington’s combination of lower property taxes, better-rated schools, and suburban amenities makes it the preferred bedroom community for Columbia workers. Interstate 20, U.S. 1, and U.S. 378 provide direct access. This commuter dynamic creates reliable, year-round rental demand from professionals who want Lexington County addresses for their children’s schooling.
Lake Murray waterfront and water-access rentals. Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre reservoir that defines much of Lexington County’s identity and real estate market. Waterfront and water-access rental properties command premium rents but come with additional considerations: dock permits through Dominion Energy (which manages the lake under a FERC license), flood zone insurance requirements, and seasonal demand fluctuations. Long-term waterfront rentals attract a different tenant profile — often higher-income professionals or retirees — while short-term lakefront rentals fall under the STR overlay rules described above.
School district as a rental driver. Lexington School District One is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in South Carolina. This is a primary reason families choose to rent in the town of Lexington specifically rather than elsewhere in the Columbia metro. For landlords, properties zoned for top-rated schools within District One command higher rents and experience lower vacancy. Listing the school zone in your rental advertising is a competitive advantage in this market.
No mandatory rental registration. Neither the Town of Lexington nor Lexington County requires landlords to register long-term rental properties. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. There is no proactive rental inspection program.
Newer housing stock — lower maintenance risk. Unlike older SC markets, the majority of Lexington’s rental housing was built after 2000. This means fewer lead paint disclosures, modern electrical and plumbing systems, and generally lower maintenance costs. However, the rapid construction pace means some newer developments may have builder-quality finishes that show wear quickly — budget for cosmetic refreshes between tenants even on relatively new properties.
Lexington County Magistrate’s Court — Where Lexington Landlords File
Lexington town eviction cases are filed at the Lexington Magistrate Court — 139 East Main Street, Suite B, Lexington, SC 29072 (Old Lexington County Courthouse / Summary Court Center). Phone: 803-785-2383. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. File Form SCCA 732 (Application for Ejectment) and pay the $40 filing fee. The court issues a Rule to Show Cause served on the tenant by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office. If served in person, the tenant has 10 days to respond; if posted on the door, the tenant has 20 days to respond. If uncontested, a default Writ of Ejectment is issued. If contested, a hearing is scheduled — either party may request a jury trial (rare in Lexington). After judgment, the Writ of Ejectment is issued; the tenant has 24 hours to vacate after the Writ is posted. If they do not leave, contact the Sheriff’s Office to schedule a physical set-out. Do not change locks, remove belongings, or cut utilities before the Sheriff executes the Writ — self-help eviction is illegal under S.C. Code § 27-40-660.
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