PRAR Local Government Watch: What REALTORS® Need to Know This Week
York, Lancaster & Chester Counties, South Carolina
This week’s headlines: Lancaster County’s major development ordinance reached a critical decision point Monday night, York County discusses proposed water and sewer impact fees today, Chester County continues major land-use reviews, and economic development projects across the region could bring significant investment and new jobs.
Local government activity continues to shape housing availability, development costs, property rights, infrastructure, and economic opportunities throughout York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties.
As always, PRAR is distinguishing confirmed government actions from proposals and decisions awaiting official verification so members understand what has changed, what remains under consideration, and why these issues matter to their businesses and clients.
Information reviewed as of Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026.
CONFIRMED ACTIONS: WHAT MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW
York County Advances Economic Development Projects Representing More Than $235 Million in Potential Investment
York County Council recently advanced four economic development incentive proposals representing approximately $235.6 million in potential investment and more than 400 projected jobs.
The projects include proposed investments in Fort Mill, Clover, Rock Hill, and southern York County. Some of the agreements have advanced further through the approval process than others, so the projected investment and employment figures should be viewed as commitments associated with proposed projects rather than completed investment or jobs already created.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Economic development can influence housing demand, commercial property needs, employment opportunities, infrastructure planning, and where future growth occurs.
New employers may bring additional workers into the region, while expanding companies may create additional housing demand for existing residents.
For REALTORS®, monitoring economic development provides another piece of the regional housing-market picture: jobs and housing are closely connected.
York County Begins Formal Review of Water and Sewer Capacity and Impact Fees
York County Council has begun the ordinance process to update its water and sewer capacity and impact fees, which the County says have not undergone a comprehensive update since 2006.
The proposal is tied to an updated Capital Improvements Plan and will be the subject of a special County Council workshop today, November 10.
Importantly, the County has not yet adopted a final revised fee schedule.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Water and sewer impact fees help communities fund infrastructure needed to accommodate new development.
At the same time, those fees become part of the cost of producing new residential and commercial property.
For REALTORS® working with builders, developers, new construction, commercial property, or undeveloped land, the eventual fee amounts and effective dates will be important.
The larger policy question is one we are seeing throughout the region:
How do communities fund the infrastructure needed for growth while preserving opportunities for housing and economic development?
LANCASTER COUNTY: UDO DECISION AWAITS OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION
Lancaster County Council was scheduled Monday night, November 9, to reconsider third and final reading of Ordinance 2026-2059, the comprehensive rewrite of the County’s Unified Development Ordinance.
Council had postponed the final vote October 26 to provide additional time for review.
The proposed ordinance addresses zoning districts, housing types, subdivision regulations, development procedures, transportation requirements, infrastructure standards, and revised zoning and overlay maps.
The timing is particularly important because County staff previously indicated that the existing residential development moratorium would end upon adoption of the new UDO or on November 10, 2026, if it had not ended earlier.
As of Tuesday morning, PRAR has not located an official County record confirming the final November 9 vote. We are therefore not reporting the UDO as adopted or rejected until the County posts verified action.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
This is one of the most consequential development-policy issues PRAR has monitored this year.
The UDO may influence:
- Housing types and density
- Permitted property uses
- Subdivision standards
- Development costs and timelines
- Infrastructure requirements
- Private property rights
- Future housing supply
The status of the residential development moratorium is equally important for landowners, builders, developers, and REALTORS® working with development property.
Members should verify current requirements directly with Lancaster County Planning before advising a client that a particular project can proceed under either the previous or proposed regulations.
PRAR will provide the confirmed result once the County’s official action is available.
Lancaster County: Places-of-Assembly Moratorium Also Moving Through the Process
Lancaster County Council previously gave first reading to a separate proposed 60-day moratorium on new places of assembly and material expansions of existing places of assembly within residential zoning districts.
County officials said the temporary pause would allow additional review of issues including neighborhood compatibility, traffic, infrastructure, and how small and large gathering places should be treated under the UDO.
This proposal is separate from the residential development moratorium and should not be confused with it.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Temporary development restrictions can affect property use and potential transactions even when they apply to a relatively narrow category of development.
For members working with churches, event venues, institutional property, landowners, or residential-area development, it is important to understand both the current zoning and any temporary restrictions that may apply.
Chester County: Major Land-Use Changes Continue Through the Approval Process
Chester County continues reviewing substantial zoning changes involving properties near the Richburg area.
Recent proposals involve thousands of acres currently within the I-77 Economic Development District that the County has proposed moving to Rural Two zoning, along with a related proposal to remove the I-77 Economic Development District classification from the zoning ordinance.
The Planning Commission previously recommended approval, and the proposals have begun moving through County Council. However, Chester County’s official site had not posted approved November 2 Council minutes as of this update.
These proposals should therefore not yet be described as final zoning changes.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Changing thousands of acres from an economic-development classification to rural zoning could have significant long-term implications for landowners and future development.
Zoning affects:
- Permitted property uses
- Development density
- Industrial and commercial opportunities
- Land values and marketability
- Infrastructure planning
- Long-term growth patterns
Members representing large tracts, commercial property, or development land should continue verifying the current zoning while these proposals move through the public process.
Chester County Zoning Board of Appeals Meets Tonight
The Chester County Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet today, November 10, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
The County’s calendar confirms the meeting, with the next County Council meeting scheduled for November 16 and Planning Commission meeting scheduled for November 17.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
The Zoning Board of Appeals considers matters such as zoning appeals, variances, and certain special exceptions.
Although these cases are often property-specific, they can directly affect what an owner may do with real estate.
For REALTORS® working with properties where the existing use, proposed use, setbacks, or other zoning requirements may be an issue, Board of Appeals decisions can be especially important.
Lancaster City Council Meets Tonight
Lancaster City Council is also scheduled to meet today, November 10.
Items previously scheduled for consideration include an annexation involving property on 15th Street and a utility easement involving Duke Energy.
These are scheduled matters, and PRAR will not report outcomes until official Council action is available.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Annexation can change the jurisdiction responsible for services, zoning, taxation, and development standards.
Utility easements can affect the rights associated with a property and should be carefully reviewed when evaluating real estate.
Even relatively small local-government actions can matter significantly to an individual owner or transaction.
Lancaster County Tax Sale Took Place November 9
Lancaster County’s 2026 delinquent property tax sale was scheduled and conducted Monday, November 9, at Springdale Recreation Center.
The County emphasizes that successful tax-sale bidders do not immediately receive unrestricted ownership of the property. South Carolina tax-sale procedures include a statutory redemption period and significant legal and title considerations.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Tax-sale property is very different from a conventional real estate transaction.
Members working with investors, property owners, or potential purchasers should direct property-specific questions to the Lancaster County Delinquent Tax Collector and recommend qualified legal guidance where appropriate.
A tax-sale bid should never be represented as the equivalent of immediately acquiring clear title to a property.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: WHO PAYS FOR GROWTH?
Several of this week’s issues point to the same regional conversation.
Growth requires infrastructure, and infrastructure has a cost.
York County is reconsidering water and sewer impact fees.
Lancaster County is rewriting development regulations while transitioning out of a residential development moratorium.
Chester County is reconsidering the zoning framework for thousands of acres near an important economic-development corridor.
Meanwhile, economic development projects continue bringing potential jobs and investment into the region.
These issues are interconnected.
New jobs can create housing demand. Housing requires infrastructure. Infrastructure requires funding. Development regulations influence project costs. And zoning determines where growth can occur.
For REALTORS®, these are not simply government issues.
They are real estate issues.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR PRAR MEMBERS
The most important update today is that several major decisions remain in motion.
Lancaster County’s UDO reached a scheduled final decision point Monday night, but PRAR is waiting for an official County record before reporting the outcome.
York County discusses proposed water and sewer fees today, while Chester County and Lancaster City both have government meetings scheduled this evening.
PRAR will continue monitoring York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, with particular attention to:
- Housing supply and affordability
- Private property rights
- Zoning and land use
- Infrastructure
- Property taxes and development fees
- Economic development
- Responsible regional growth
Our goal is to help members understand what has actually changed, what is still being proposed, and why it matters to your business, your clients, and the communities you serve.
Real estate is local. Your REALTOR® Association is paying attention.
PRAR Local Government Watch is provided for general member awareness. Proposed ordinances, rezonings, impact fees, development applications, and meeting schedules may change throughout the public process. Members should verify property-specific zoning, taxation, permitting, infrastructure, and development requirements directly with the appropriate jurisdiction.