Oconee County, SC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Section 20-53(b) of chapter 20, article V groups this camping ban with two related bans: lighting a campfire or bonfire on public property, and fastening ropes, wires, chains or power cords to public buildings, bridges, overpasses or utility poles, all without specific authorization from the appropriate governmental authority. The camping ban itself reaches any use of streets, sidewalks, parks, or playgrounds, or any other public property for the purpose of camping at any time, and also targets vehicles left in those places to the detriment of public travel or convenience.

The article, adopted by Ordinance No. 2025-13 on September 2, 2025, also separately bans unauthorized lodging or sleeping in any building, structure, vehicle or other place, public or private, without the owner's written permission, under Sec. 20-53(b)(1), disorderly conduct. Both provisions apply only to the unincorporated areas of Oconee County under Sec. 20-50; Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, West Union and Salem enforce their own codes within municipal limits. Sec. 00 fine, up to 30 days' imprisonment, or both. The Sheriff's Office and commissioned code enforcement officers issue county uniform ordinance summonses for violations, which are returnable before a county magistrate under Sec. 20-37, and accepting the summons lets the person proceed without posting bond under Sec. 20-38.