Aiken County, SC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping requires written approval
- § 16-2(b)(23)
- Approving official
- PRT department director
- Default park hours
- Sunrise to 11:00 p.m.
- Loitering ban
- § 16-6
- Enforcement penalty
- General offense under § 1-8
- Minimum suspension for refusing staff
- 1 day
Summary
Aiken County bars camping in county parks except in designated areas and only with written approval from the director of the department of parks, recreation and tourism, under Code § 16-2(b)(23). Unpermitted camping outside those designated spots violates the park rules enforceable under § 1-8.
(23) The county parks and recreational centers described in section 16-5 of this chapter shall open for use and access by the public only for the hours set forth in that section. All other parks shall be open from sunrise until 11:00 p.m., unless there is a scheduled activity in progress. Camping of any kind, if allowed, may take place only in designated areas of designated parks with written approval of the director of the department of parks, recreation and tourism subject to all policies and rules adopted by the county concerning camping.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
from April through September). Camping or lingering in a park outside those access hours, or outside a director-designated camping area, also exposes a person to the separate loitering ordinance at § 16-6, which bars 'remaining idly in or around the county park or recreation center or loafing or walking or wandering around aimlessly' in a manner that creates a disturbance, danger of breach of peace, or risk of harm. Both the camping restriction and the loitering ban are enforced as offenses punishable under § 1-8 of the county code, and PRT staff can independently suspend park privileges for refusing to obey a posted rule or staff instruction.
Violations & Fines
Camping without written director approval, or outside a designated camping area, is punishable under § 1-8 of the county code as a general offense, on top of any PRT-imposed suspension of park privileges. Refusing to leave when instructed by staff or violating a posted rule carries a minimum one-day suspension from all county parks, escalating for repeat conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp overnight in an Aiken County park?
What are the hours for Aiken County parks?
Can Aiken County remove someone loitering or camping illegally in a park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aiken County
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