What Surfside Beach’s New Zoning Code Can Teach York County About Protecting Our Communities
Earlier this year, the Town of Surfside Beach passed an updated zoning ordinance aimed at shaping how land is used to better protect residents, encourage responsible development, and promote community well-being. While every town and county has unique needs, zoning codes like this one can provide valuable lessons for York County as we think about growth, public health, and the safety of our youth.
The revised ordinance puts a strong emphasis on:
- Clearer land-use categories – ensuring residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas are more thoughtfully defined.
- Public health and safety protections – zoning that limits where certain businesses (such as those selling age-restricted products like tobacco or alcohol) can be located.
- Community balance – rules that reduce conflicts between residential neighborhoods and commercial development, preserving the character of family-friendly areas.
- Future-focused development – supporting growth that matches infrastructure and community needs rather than unchecked sprawl.
Why Zoning Matters for York County
York County is one of the fastest-growing regions in South Carolina. With new housing developments, businesses, and schools popping up, zoning decisions today will shape the county for decades to come. Just like Surfside Beach, York County leaders have the chance to use zoning as a tool for:
- Youth Protection: Restricting how close tobacco, vape, and alcohol retailers can be to schools, parks, and childcare centers.
- Stronger Communities: Ensuring new development preserves neighborhood character while still supporting economic growth.
- Health & Safety: Limiting over-concentration of businesses that contribute to public health challenges, such as vape shops or liquor stores.
- Smart Growth: Directing commercial growth into designated corridors while safeguarding green space and residential areas.
How York County Could Adapt This Approach
York County doesn’t need to copy Surfside Beach word-for-word, but it can build on the same foundation. Some practical steps include:
- Reviewing zoning maps to identify where youth-serving spaces (schools, parks, after-school centers) are most concentrated.
- Creating buffer zones that require certain distances between commercial tobacco retailers and these sensitive areas.
- Engaging the community through public hearings and surveys so residents have a say in how neighborhoods grow.
- Coordinating across municipalities to create consistency, since development often overlaps city and county lines.
Surfside Beach’s new ordinance shows that zoning codes are not just about property lines—they’re about people. By adopting similar strategies, York County can strengthen its commitment to public health, protect youth, and guide growth in a way that benefits the whole community.
Read the full Ordinance here: https://www.surfsidebeach.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1432?fileID=6513
