Lancaster County, SC Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Lancaster County's parks and recreation article lists drones among the aircraft it keeps out of county parks. Sec. 24-3(9) states that, by way of example and not limitation, airplanes including ultralight aircraft, unmanned flying aircraft described as drones, unmanned aircraft systems and remote controlled model aircraft, balloons, parachutes and other apparatus for aviation are generally prohibited from taking off, landing or operating on or within county parks and recreation areas. The 'by way of example' language means the county treats this as an open-ended list rather than a narrow one, so any similar flying device is covered even if not named.

The section leaves a door open: in some limited circumstances, these machines may be operated within designated areas of county parks and recreation areas or facilities, but only after the operator obtains a special activity permit. The code does not spell out the permit application process or fee within this section; a pilot who wants to fly recreationally or commercially in a county park needs to work through the parks and recreation department before launching. The drone rule sits inside the same thirty-eight item list of prohibited park acts that also bars firearms, fireworks, glass containers and alcohol, and Sec. 24-4 applies one misdemeanor penalty to every item on that list rather than a standalone fine for aviation violations.