Florence County, SC Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Chapter 22, Article IV, Disorderly Conduct, makes it unlawful to engage in any of ten listed acts in a public place or gathering, or within hearing distance of a school or church, when the person knows or has reasonable grounds to know the act will tend to promote or provoke a disturbance, danger, alarm, disorder, fight, brawl or nuisance. Subsection (4) specifically targets loitering that blocks the public way: it bars congregating with others, without lawful permission, on a public way so as to impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and then refusing to clear the public way when ordered to do so by the sheriff's department or other legal authority.

The clause has two elements: the group must be impeding traffic, and the person must refuse a lawful order to disperse; standing on a sidewalk without blocking anyone, or leaving when asked, does not violate it. The same article lists other acts of conduct, including obscene language or gestures, appearing intoxicated and loud or boisterous, using fighting words, violent or tumultuous conduct, engaging in a fight or riot, abusive language toward Sheriff's Office personnel, disturbing public meetings, and damaging public or private property, all enforced under the same penalty section.