Oconee County, SC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Section 20-53(a), titled 'Obstructing streets,' does not ban sitting or lying on a sidewalk outright; the violation attaches only after the person has been requested to immediately move by a law enforcement officer and the person's position is obstructing or impeding the free passage of pedestrians or public travel. The rule sits in chapter 20, article V, 'Prohibited or Restricted Conduct - Solicitation, Obstruction of Public Streets, Unauthorized Camping,' adopted by Ordinance No. 2025-13 on September 2, 2025, and reaches any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public property.

It applies only in the unincorporated areas of Oconee County under Sec. 20-50; Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, West Union and Salem enforce their own street-obstruction rules within their limits. The same article separately criminalizes unauthorized camping and lodging on public or private property under Sec. 20-53(b), and damaging county property under Sec. 20-53(b)(3), but obstructing streets is charged as its own violation under Sec. 20-53(a). Sec. 00 fine, up to 30 days' imprisonment, or both. The Sheriff's Office and commissioned code enforcement officers issue a county uniform ordinance summons for a refusal to move, returnable before a county magistrate under Sec. 20-37, and accepting the summons lets the person proceed without posting bond under Sec. 20-38.