Cherokee County, SC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

The vehicle rules sit in Chapter 7, Article IV, Junk and Salvage Yards. Section 7-142(f) states that any person, company, business or corporation not covered by the article or exempted from it shall comply with state statutory law regarding disposition of abandoned or derelict motor vehicles, and it cites S.C. Code 1976, §§ 56-5-5610, 56-5-5810 et seq. and 44-67-10 et seq.

Inside the article, Section 7-147 defines junk to include wrecked, dismantled or disabled motor vehicles or parts thereof, alongside abandoned barrels or drums, batteries, appliances and vacant or abandoned mobile homes. A junkyard is an establishment used in part or in whole for storing, keeping, buying or selling that junk. Such a yard needs a permit under Section 7-144, must be enclosed on all sides by a screening fence under Section 7-141, must conduct all business entirely within the screened or fenced area, and cannot stack junk higher than the opaque screen or fence under Section 7-142(b) and (c).

Section 7-142(g) adds a nuisance check. The Cherokee County Building Codes Department or Health Department can inspect each junkyard to determine that it does not create a nuisance, aesthetic distraction or safety hazard. Once one is identified, the owner, operator or maintainer must submit satisfactory evidence to both departments that the violation has been eliminated, and failure results in revocation of the permit.

Towing has a carve-out. Section 7-145(4) exempts wrecker, towing and impoundment services from the 5 acre requirement if they keep no more than 25 currently licensed and currently registered motor vehicles which have been wrecked, or whose possession is by virtue of court order, with temporary storage not exceeding 90 days. Section 7-146 gives a lawful nonconforming junkyard 2 years to have approved screening in place along the property frontage.