Business Licensing & Operations in York County, SC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
York County limits adult businesses to one per lot and requires a 1,000-foot buffer from any other adult business, from residential zoning districts, and from dwellings, schools, day cares, churches, and parks anywhere in the county.
York County SC Adult Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.280–155.282
§ 155.281 NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS PER LOT. No more than one adult business shall be located on any lot. § 155.282 MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN USES AND DISTRICTS. An adult business shall be located: (A) At least 1,000 feet from any other adult business; and (B) At least 1,000 feet from: (1) Any lots located in the PR, AGC, AGC-I, RUD, RUD-I, RSF-40, RSF-30, RMX-20, RMX-10...
Massage Establishments
Unincorporated York County allows massage services from a home, but only if a licensed massage therapist performs them, and only under an annual home occupation permit. Table 155.674-1 marks the use as allowed on both large and small lots, unlike many other personal-service businesses the same table bars outright.
York County Home Massage Therapy Rules
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code § 155.674, Table 155.674-1
TABLE 155.674-1: HOME OCCUPATION USES Use or Activity Large Lot Home Occupation Small Lot Home Occupation ... Massage services provided by a licensed massage • • therapist ... Key: • = the use is allowed | X = the use is prohibited
Tattoo & Body Modification
York County zoning allows tattoo and body piercing establishments only as a conditional or special exception use under the § 155.271 Use Table, and every studio must sit at least 300 feet from any other tattoo or piercing business under § 155.596. The rule reaches only the unincorporated county: Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Clover and Tega Cay license these shops under their own separate city codes.
York County Tattoo & Piercing Studio Rules
Significant RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.595, 155.596
§ 155.595 APPLICABILITY. This subpart applies to all tattoo and body piercing establishment uses that are specified as conditional or special exception uses in § 155.271: Use Table. § 155.596 MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN USES AND DISTRICTS. A tattoo and body piercing establishment shall be located at least 300 feet from any other tattoo and body piercing establishment.
Pawnbrokers
York County regulates pawnbrokers as "alternative lending institutions" in the unincorporated area. A pawnshop needs a conditional or special exception zoning approval, must sit at least 1,320 feet from any other such business, and can only run between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
York County Pawnbroker Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.301-155.305
§ 155.301 APPLICABILITY. This subpart applies to all alternative lending institutions that are specified as conditional or special exception uses in § 155.271: Use Table. § 155.302 MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN USES AND DISTRICTS. An alternative lending institution shall be located: (A) At least 1,320 feet from any other alternative lending institution; and (B) At least 660 feet from: (1) Any lots...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
York County's Land Development Code flatly bans automotive repair as a home occupation anywhere in the unincorporated county. The home-occupation use table marks "Automotive repair" with an X for both large-lot (two acres or more) and small-lot properties, so no home occupation permit can ever authorize it, regardless of acreage or how the work is enclosed.
York County Bars Home-Based Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code § 155.674, Table 155.674-1
§ 155.674 HOME OCCUPATION USES. (A) Table 155.674-1: Home Occupation Uses identifies uses allowed as home occupations and uses expressly prohibited as home occupations. (B) New and unlisted uses are prohibited pursuant to § 155.270: Introduction. TABLE 155.674-1: HOME OCCUPATION USES Use or Activity Large Lot Home Occupation Small Lot Home Occupation ... Automotive repair ...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in York County
1 cities in York County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All York County ordinances
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