• What is the Charleston County Comprehensive Plan?

Charleston County’s Comprehensive Plan is an expression of the County’s intent for where and how future growth and development should occur. The plan also identifies parts of the County that may or may not be appropriate for certain types of growth, given the Lowcountry’s unique character and natural conditions.

Charleston County Council adopted the 10-year update of the County’s Comprehensive Plan on November 18, 2008.  The Comprehensive Plan Update is the result of the state mandated 10-year update cycle, the need for the County to conform to new state statutes (The Priority Investment Act) that require additional elements in the Comprehensive Plan, and a response to changing economic and growth trends.

The Comprehensive Plan includes nine elements: 

• Population

• Economic development

• Natural ResourcesCultural Resources

• Community Facilities

• Housing  

• Land Use

• Transportation*

• Priority Investment*

 *State Law recently changed to require these elements in the Comprehensive Plan