Backyard chickens and livestock are common across rural west and south York County, though the county zoning ordinance governs where they are kept and how many. South Carolina law makes owners liable for animals that get loose.
Keeping poultry and livestock is a normal rural use across unincorporated York County, in Hickory Grove, Sharon, Smyrna, and McConnells, subject to the county zoning ordinance that sets district standards, lot-size minimums, and setbacks for coops and pens. Suburban districts near Lake Wylie and Fort Mill are far more restrictive than agricultural parcels to the west. South Carolina holds livestock owners responsible for keeping animals contained, and an animal that strays onto a road or a neighbor's land exposes the owner to liability for the damage it causes. A crowing rooster or hog odor can still be pursued as a private nuisance regardless of zoning.
Keeping animals against the county zoning district—too many birds, or livestock on a suburban lot—draws a zoning correction notice. An animal that strays and causes crop, vehicle, or property damage exposes the owner to civil liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
York County, SC
York County requires garage and yard sales to maintain property appearance. Items must be displayed neatly and removed promptly after the sale ends.
York County, SC
No South Carolina statute and no York County ordinance regulate holiday lights, inflatables, or yard displays on private property. A homeowner decorates with...
York County, SC
York County's zoning code regulates garage-sale signs on private property by size and placement, and no county permit covers a sign in the state right-of-way...
York County, SC
South Carolina gives political signs no protection on private property — repeated bills failed — so York County's zoning code and each city regulate them con...
York County, SC
Unincorporated York County requires no rental registration, but its cities do. Rock Hill mandates that every single-family and multi-family rental register w...
York County, SC
South Carolina has no just-cause eviction rule, and York County cannot add one. Under S.C. Code §27-40-710 a landlord ends a tenancy for unpaid rent with a f...
See how York County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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