About Sea Pines CSA

In September of 1987, Sea Pines Community Services Associates, Inc. (CSA) was formed for the purpose of providing management, protection of property rights, preservation, enhancement of property values and to ensure the continuation of Sea Pines as an integrated resort/residential/recreational community. In December of 1988, Sea Pines CSA accepted title to roadways, leisure pathways, streets, open spaces, lagoons, ditches, and other properties, real and personal, in order to carry out its purpose. In addition to acquiring ownership of said property, Sea Pines CSA assumed the responsibility of collecting and administering the property owner assessments and other revenues to provide for a wide variety of community services. 

Sea Pines CSA is the only governing body established exclusively for the mutual benefit of all the owners of real property within Sea Pines including single-family residences, multi-family dwelling units, vacation rental homes and villas, business and commercial use, recreational facilities, resort facilities, inns, cemeteries, marinas, golf, tennis, institutional and educational facilities, open spaces, and other purposes as permitted under the existing Covenants and the Master Plan for Sea Pines.

As a not-for-profit organization, Sea Pines CSA must operate in compliance with the regulations that govern such status. Although nonprofit corporations are not prohibited from engaging in commercial activities, the directors of a nonprofit are duty-bound to devote primary attention to the promotion of the mission of the corporation rather than the production of net income.

Federal, State and local governments and their various agencies also have various jurisdictional authorities as set out by law. Due to its coastal locality, many Sea Pines CSA operations and programs fall under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”), the State’s public health and environmental protection agency which provides leadership for public and community involvement in creating and sustaining the public health infrastructure.

Sea Pines CSA employs law enforcement to service the property owners and guests of Sea Pines. The patrol service duties include patrolling the community while being watchful for unusual or suspicious activity to reduce and deter crime. These officers are deputized by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (“SC SLED”) and carry the same powers of arrest as those of a deputy sheriff within the boundaries of Sea Pines.

Membership in Sea Pines CSA is required by virtue of property ownership in Sea Pines. Members of Sea Pines CSA are the owners of residential properties, businesses and/or other land in Sea Pines. In general, the community’s common property, including most of the roads, are owned and maintained by Sea Pines CSA, who collects assessments from property owners, entry gate fees and other revenues that together fund the essential services the organization provides.