6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
York County zones its large unincorporated area, so the county zoning ordinance—not a blank slate—sets fence height outside city limits. No South Carolina statute caps residential fence height; corner-lot sight triangles and that ordinance govern.
York County reviews fence work against its zoning ordinance and building codes through the Planning and Development department. Call SC 811 before digging. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Clover, and York issue their own permits.
South Carolina has no good-neighbor fence law forcing cost-sharing. A boundary fence is the builder's own expense, and a neighbor owes nothing unless he agrees in writing. York County does not referee these disputes.
York County enforces adopted building codes on unincorporated land, so a retaining wall above the code threshold—generally four feet—needs a permit and engineering. Cities enforce their own codes; drainage harm creates civil liability.
York County enforces a residential pool barrier through the International Residential Code, Appendix G, adopted statewide by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. The barrier must be at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates.
IRC Appendix G, Section AG105.2
The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
No South Carolina statute restricts residential fence materials. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, aluminum, and wrought iron are all lawful. York County zoning, city ordinances, and recorded HOA covenants supply the only material limits.
1 cities in York County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for York County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
York County Ordinance Hub →