Charleston, SC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily
- Covered streets
- King St. (Line-Broad), Market St. (King-East Bay)
- First offense fine
- Up to $25
- Second offense fine
- Up to $50
- Third offense consequence
- 6-month trespass order from corridor
- Governing section
- City Code § 28-45
Summary
Charleston bans sitting or lying on public sidewalks along the King and Market Street corridors between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., under City Code § 28-45(b). The rule covers King Street between Line and Broad Streets, North and South Market Street between King and East Bay, and one block of every cross street in between, with exceptions for medical emergencies, disabilities, and permitted sidewalk uses.
(b)Prohibition. During the hours between eight (8:00) a.m. and two (2:00) a.m., it is unlawful to sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk or sit or lie down on property adjacent to a public sidewalk in such a manner so that any part of the person's body or personal effects are on a public sidewalk:(1)On King Street, between Line Street and Broad Street;(2)On streets crossing King Street for one (1) block in either direction of King Street between and including Line Street and Broad Street;(3)On North and South Market Streets, between King Street and East Bay Street; and(4)On streets crossing Market Street for one (1) block in either direction from Market Street between and including King and East Bay Street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 114 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
Section 28-45, titled Promotion of civil sidewalks, targets the narrow eighteenth-century sidewalks of Charleston's tourism core, finding that sitting or lying down there during heavy use threatens safe passage for elderly, disabled, vision-impaired, and small pedestrians. § 28-45(d) makes clear none of those exceptions authorize conduct already barred under §§ 17-93, 17-98, and 21-109, the city's separate obstruction-of-passage offenses. The city also built in oversight: § 28-45(f) requires the police department to report on enforcement effectiveness to the mayor and council one year after adoption and every two years after that, and § 28-45(g) requires the city to maintain an outreach plan connecting people found repeatedly sitting or lying on these sidewalks with social services.
Violations & Fines
A first conviction under § 28-45(e) draws a fine up to $25; a second conviction draws a fine up to $50, with any further violation handled under the city's general penalty in § 1-16. A third or subsequent conviction can also bring a six-month trespass order barring the person from the King and Market Street corridors named in the ordinance, issued by a code enforcement officer, police officer, city attorney, or municipal court judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does Charleston's sit-lie sidewalk ban apply?
Are there exceptions to Charleston's sidewalk sitting ban?
What's the penalty for repeatedly violating Charleston's sit-lie ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the South Carolina homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.