York County, SC Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

7 governs special events on both private and public property in the unincorporated county, a category the code elsewhere defines to include parades, foot races, bike races and similar activities that significantly affect public property or traffic. 751 requires an event plan submitted with the zoning compliance application describing the event and its activities, the anticipated number of attendees, an emergency access and public safety plan, and coordination letters from agencies such as the Sheriff's Office, the Department of Fire Safety and SCDHEC where applicable.

718-1 sets the frequency caps: a special event on private property needs zoning compliance approval for up to four events per calendar year, running up to five consecutive days each, with a combined limit of ten event days per year. A special event on public property or in a public right-of-way is capped at two events per calendar year per applicant, not per site, each running up to three consecutive days. 752 adds a heavier layer for any event expected to draw 500 or more attendees or participants: the organizer needs special exception use approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals, limited to that single event, and must first attend a pre-application meeting with staff to discuss safety and coordination needs.

753 requires a York County Venue Agreement before a zoning compliance application for an event on public property or in a right-of-way is approved, though county-sponsored events on county-owned property are exempt from that requirement.