York County, SC Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Vegetation height limit
- 2 feet in developed areas
- Applies to lots that
- Abut developed land/street 2+ sides
- Exempt
- Agricultural/horticultural, dense woods
- Appeal window
- 30 days to petition circuit court
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine or 30 days jail
Summary
Unimproved lots in developed parts of unincorporated York County can't grow weeds, brush or rank vegetation past two feet if the lot touches developed property or a public street on two or more sides. Violations are a declared public nuisance the county can order abated.
(C) Unimproved property. It shall be unlawful for the owner, agent or occupant of any vacant unimproved property in developed residential, commercial or industrial unincorporated areas of the county which abut developed property or public streets on at least two sides to: (1) Permit or allow weeds, noxious growth, brush, or similar vegetation to grow to a height of two feet or more except for natural or agricultural uses; (2) Permit such growth to a height, which constitutes a hazard, real or potential, for the harborage of vermin or insects; (3) Permit the accumulations of litter, garbage, rubbish, and/or solid waste, which constitutes a hazard, real or potential; (4) Permit other unsightly or injurious conditions to such an extent as to create a nuisance or potential health hazard for adjoining property or the general public.
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
085(C) of the county's public nuisance chapter targets vacant, unimproved lots in developed residential, commercial or industrial parts of the unincorporated county that abut developed property or public streets on at least two sides. It is unlawful for the owner, agent or occupant of such a lot to let weeds, noxious growth, brush or similar vegetation grow to two feet or more, except for natural or agricultural uses; to let growth reach a height that harbors vermin or insects; to allow litter, garbage, rubbish or solid waste to accumulate; or to allow any other unsightly or injurious condition that creates a nuisance or health hazard for neighbors or the public.
085(B). 086 exempts land reasonably used and properly attended for agriculture or horticulture, wooded rear or side yards too dense for equipment to reach, unimproved lots where new permitted construction is actively under way, and property outside a developed area that is not otherwise creating a nuisance. 001 defines WEEDS AND RANK VEGETATION as dense uncultivated growth in developed parts of the unincorporated county that creates unsightliness, breeds mosquitoes, harbors vermin, or poses a fire or traffic hazard. The county adopted the current rank-vegetation rules under Ordinance 722 on January 18, 2022.
Violations & Fines
A vacant lot in violation is declared a public nuisance under Section 56.085(A). A public officer serves notice under Section 56.132, and the owner has 30 days after service to petition the circuit court for an injunction against the order under Section 56.133. Violating the chapter is a misdemeanor under Section 56.999(A), punishable by a fine up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail, with each day of continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds get on a vacant lot in unincorporated York County?
Is my wooded lot exempt from the weed rule?
What can I do if I get a notice about my vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
Compare York County to another location·View the South Carolina property maintenance overview
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