Homelessness & Encampment Rules in York County, SC (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Sit-Lie Rules

York County does not ban sitting or lying on public sidewalks outright. Under § 131.03(A), a person only violates the county's obstructing-streets rule if they block pedestrian or vehicle passage on a sidewalk, street, alley or other public property and then refuse a law enforcement officer's direct request to move along. Violators face the Chapter 131 penalty of up to $500 and 30 days in jail.

York County Sidewalk Obstruction Rule

Some Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 131.03(A)

(A) Obstructing streets. Any person who remains standing, lying, or sitting down on any of the sidewalks, streets, alleys, or other public property in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free passage of pedestrians or public travel, after being requested to immediately move on by any law enforcement officer, shall be found in violation of this division (A) (obstructing streets).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encampment Sanitation

York County bans camping on any street, sidewalk, park, playground or other public property at any time unless a governmental authority specifically authorizes it, under § 131.03(C). The same subsection separately bars unpermitted campfires and attaching ropes, wires or power cords to public structures. Deputies are directed not to enforce the camping ban when no overnight shelter bed is available.

York County Public Camping Ban

Heavy Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 131.03(C)

(C) Camping on public property. (1) This division (C) is to apply only to camping on public property. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person, except as may be specifically authorized by the appropriate governmental authority, to use any of the streets, sidewalks, parks, or playgrounds, or any other public property for the purpose of camping at any time; or to cause or permit any vehicle to rem...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Homelessness & Encampment Rules by City in York County

1 cities in York County have their own homelessness & encampment rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Rock HillPop. 75,048

2 verified rules • Encampment Sanitation, Sit-Lie Rules

All York County ordinances

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