Mount Pleasant council adopts parade parking, seating ordinance after heated safety debate

Mount Pleasant City Council on July 30 approved Ordinance 2025-04 to regulate seating, parking and use of public property prior to the Hub City Days Parade, citing public safety concerns and repeated calls to curb early staking of parade viewing spots.

Council members and the police chief said the city received multiple calls this year about chairs, trailers and vehicles left along the parade route, and that some incidents escalated to fights and obstructed travel lanes. “The automobiles were the biggest problem this year,” Police Chief Gray said during the discussion, citing cases when vehicles parked on the route could not be moved before the parade and when chairs blocked turning lanes.

Supporters stressed emergency-access risks. “If there is an emergency vehicle coming — an ambulance or fire truck — you cannot get out of the way because of all this stuff,” one council member said. Council members and staff also noted disputes between residents and businesses over use of the public easement adjacent to sidewalks, and described episodes in which people removed others’ chairs, prompting confrontations.

The ordinance sets a time window for when chairs and other staging items may be placed on city- or state-owned easements ahead of the parade; the council debated moving the start time from 6 p.m. the day before to 6 a.m. the morning of the parade to reduce overnight disputes. Chief Gray said the proposed rule is comparable to regulations used in nearby cities and would allow the city to move or remove items creating hazards.

Several residents urged education and warnings rather than immediate ticketing. One public commenter said outreach and social-media posts explaining the new rules would reduce conflict and that tickets could escalate tensions if applied without clear public notice.

Council discussion also referenced a state rule allowing parked vehicles on the route for up to 48 hours if they do not create a traffic hazard; staff said the parade permit and the city’s safety interest allow the local rule to supplement that state provision for the event day. The council agreed the ordinance would be accompanied by public notice and education prior to next year’s event.

The council adopted the ordinance by roll call: Lynn — yes; Paul — yes; Russ — yes; Ronnie — yes; Kate — no. City staff said they will publish guidance on the city website and social channels to notify residents of the new requirements before next year’s parade.