York County, SC Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- Lake Wylie Overlay (LW-O) only
- Applies to
- New single-family detached, major subdivisions
- Trigger
- Homes/plats after Jan. 1, 2021
- Max driveway width
- 20 ft, flares to 32 ft
- Required surface
- Asphalt, concrete, brick or pavers
- Prohibited
- Dirt or gravel driveways
Summary
In the Lake Wylie Overlay (LW-O) district, new single-family detached homes in a major subdivision built after January 1, 2021 face specific driveway standards under Code § 155.201. Driveways can be up to 20 feet wide within the right-of-way, must be surfaced in asphalt, concrete, brick or pavers, and dirt or gravel surfaces are banned.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to all new single-family detached homes constructed within a major subdivision, with the following exceptions: (1) Homes constructed on lots of one acre or more, and are located at least 50 feet away from the right-of-way are exempt from the provisions of this section... (H) Driveway standards. (1) The driveway width shall be no more than 20 feet within the right-of-way, and may begin to flare five feet after the property line, to a maximum of 32 feet wide. (2) Driveways must be surfaced with asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers, or an equivalent material. Driveways composed of dirt or gravel are not permitted. (3) No parking is permitted in the front yard except for within the driveway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-49: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 3925, passed 6-16-25).
Full Breakdown
197. Exemptions under (A) cover homes on lots of one acre or more sitting at least 50 feet from the right-of-way, homes in subdivision phases where construction began before January 1, 2021, phases begun after that date where earlier phases make up 60% or more of the subdivision's lots, lots with a preliminary plat approved before January 1, 2021 (exempt from the lot and open-space standards), and age-55-and-over communities on pre-2021 plats. For covered homes, (H) sets the driveway rules: width may not exceed 20 feet within the right-of-way, though it may flare out starting five feet past the property line to a maximum of 32 feet; the surface must be asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers or an equivalent material, with dirt or gravel driveways expressly prohibited; and no parking is allowed in the front yard except within the driveway itself.
These sit alongside related standards in the same section covering recessed garage placement, minimum roof overhangs, and rear/side-yard screening of mechanical equipment for the same covered homes.
Violations & Fines
Installing a dirt or gravel driveway, exceeding the 20-foot (or 32-foot flared) width allowance, or parking on the front lawn outside the paved driveway in a covered LW-O subdivision violates § 155.201 and is enforced as a chapter 155 violation. Under § 155.9999 that's a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 per day, with a 15-day written cure notice from the Zoning Administrator required under § 155.1237 before further action, and each day of continued noncompliance counts as a separate offense under § 155.1236(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this driveway rule apply to my whole York County property?
Can I put in a gravel driveway to save money?
How wide can my driveway be?
Can I park my truck on the grass next to the driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
Compare York County to another location·View the South Carolina parking rules overview
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