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Union County adopts ordinance expanding residency restrictions for certain offenders
Summary
The Union County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-02 to extend residency exclusion zones from 'predators' to a broader 'offender' category and to increase buffer distances around schools, daycares and bus stops.
Union County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to adopt Ordinance 2025-02, expanding existing residency restrictions so that a broader class of people classified in the ordinance as “offenders,” not only those labeled “predators,” would be subject to exclusion zones around schools, daycare centers, parks and school bus stops.
Attorney Wade, who introduced the ordinance to the board and said the proposal was submitted by William Williams at the sheriff’s office, told commissioners the change mirrors actions taken in neighboring counties and would place the same geographic limits on the lesser‑categorized offenders that had previously applied only to predators. Wade described the change as a public‑safety measure to limit where people with qualifying convictions may live or rent.
Board members clarified the ordinance increases the buffer distances discussed in the record from the previous 1,000‑foot radius to 2,500 feet in the proposal and that the expansion therefore affects both those currently categorized as predators and the larger class of offenders. Commissioner Jackson moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Croft seconded; with no further discussion the motion carried unanimously.
The ordinance was advertised before the meeting and was presented for adoption on Sept. 15. The record shows the board approved the measure as presented; the ordinance text on file with the clerk provides the precise legal definitions and distances used to classify restricted locations.
The board did not discuss in detail enforcement mechanics, appeals or relocation assistance during the meeting; those implementation questions and any related administrative rules are addressed in the ordinance language and future staff actions.
