Stanton v. Town of Pawleys Island

Waller, Justice:

Appellant Stanton appeals the denial of an application for a building permit to repair damage to Ms beach house. We reverse.

FACTS

In 1969 Stanton built an ocean-front house on Pawleys Island. The house had two bedrooms, a bath, and a small kitchen on the lower, “grade,” level. The upper level included a living room and four bedrooms. The two levels were connected by an external stairway.

The lower level of the house was substantially damaged by Hurricane Hugo in September of 1989, as was the roof and front porch. However, the house, as a whole, did not sustain more than 50%…