Public Conduct in Sumter County, SC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Sumter County, South Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Sumter County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Loitering Rules

Sumter County Code § 28-6 makes it unlawful to loiter in a public place for drug activity or to menace passersby, but only after a law enforcement officer first warns the person and gives reasonable time to leave. Circumstances like visible drug paraphernalia or repeated hailing of vehicles can support a warning. Conviction is punishable by up to $500.00 or 30 days in jail.

Sumter County Drug Loitering Ban

Some Restrictions

Sumter County Code § 28-6

(1)To adequately apprize one of when one's conduct is forbidden by this section and to remove the potential for arbitrary and capricious arrests, a person must first be warned by a law enforcement officer that the person's conduct is in violation of this section, and a reasonable time shall be provided for the person to vacate the area. ... (2)Loitering for the purpose of engaging in illicit dr...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Alcohol Use

In unincorporated Sumter County it's unlawful to drink alcohol, beer, or wine on any street, road, sidewalk, park, or other public property unless inside an enclosed building. Possessing an open container in a prohibited public place counts as evidence of consumption. Drinking on private property also requires the owner's consent. Violating Sumter County Code § 28-3 is a misdemeanor.

Sumter County Public Alcohol Consumption Ban

Some Restrictions

Sumter County Code § 28-3

(a)Prohibited. Except as other provided in this section, it shall be unlawful within any of the unincorporated areas of the county for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage, beer, or wine within the right-of-way or within the boundaries of any street, road, sidewalk, thoroughfare, alley, park, or any other property owned by the state or any political subdivision thereof or any other real...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Sumter County ordinances

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