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Committee advances bill barring zoning-based bans on university campus events
Summary
Senate Bill 832, which would prevent counties and municipalities from using zoning to block most non-sporting events on state-supported university campuses while preserving safety and occupancy laws, was advanced to the full committee after sponsor explanation and a unanimous vote.
Senate Bill 832 was advanced to the full committee after committee members heard that the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from using zoning classifications to bar events held on state-supported university campuses.
Quentin summarized the bill: "Senate bill 8 32 would amend South Carolina law to provide that no county or municipality may restrict or require land use approval for events held on the campus of a state supported institution of higher learning based on zoning ordinances or land use classifications." He added the bill would not limit a local government's authority to enforce applicable safety laws.
Senator Sutton, speaking in support and identifying Senator Goldfinch as sponsor, said the bill responds to examples in which baseline zoning (for instance single-family residential classifications) has been used to block non-sporting campus activities. Sutton cited the Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium and other university event examples to illustrate how local zoning sometimes interfered with campus events previously.
Sutton emphasized that the bill would not preempt parking rules, noise ordinances, fire marshal requirements, occupancy or egress regulations; rather, it would stop municipalities from using baseline zoning to prohibit events or require land-use approvals that effectively block typical campus programming such as lectures, farmers markets or concerts.
A motion to move SB 832 to the full committee was made and the committee voted aye with no opposition; the chair said proxies would be applied to the votes and announced the bill will go forward.
Next steps: SB 832 will be considered by the full committee; sponsors and staff may provide additional background on how the bill interacts with local permitting, safety enforcement, and university governing-board approvals.
