Zoning & Planning

Contact

Zoning & Planning

Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843)202-7200
Fax: (843)202-7222

Board of Zoning Appeals:
bza@charlestoncounty.org
Code Enforcement (Environmental, Solid Waste and Zoning) Complaints
codeenforcement@charlestoncounty.org
Historic Preservation Commission:
cchpc@charlestoncounty.org
Permitting:
zoningpermits@charlestoncounty.org
Planning Commission:
ccpc@charlestoncounty.org
Short-Term Rentals
shorttermrental@charlestoncounty.org
Site Plan Review:
siteplanreview@charlestoncounty.org
Subdivision:
subdivision@charlestoncounty.org
General Questions or Concerns:
planning@charlestoncounty.org

Office Hours:
Public Services Building
Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm

Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Ordinance Amendment Project

HIST-06-21-00034 Request to designate Saint Mark Union Methodist Episcopal Church located at 3657 Old Charleston Highway (TMS# 285-00-00-057) on the Charleston County Historic Designation List.

Charleston County Special Events Application Package

These are the documents needed in order to submit an application for a Special Event Permit in Charleston County's unincorporated area. Fill out and return packet in person to the Zoning & Planning Department, located on the first floor of the Public Services Building, at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston.

Functions

• Administration of Zoning and Subdivision applications for the unincorporated portions of the County
• Addressing in the unincorporated portions of the County and assist municipalities with addressing
• Issuance and Enforcement of Zoning Permits and tree protection
• Research and Expertise for the County's Planning Process
• Provide technical planning assistance and zoning permitting to the Towns of Kiawah Island, Meggett, and Rockville

The Zoning & Planning Department administers the County's Comprehensive Plan ordinance (ten year update adopted by County Council on November 18, 2008) and the Zoning and Land Development Regulations ordinance (adopted by County Council on Nov. 20, 2001 as amended) and prepares various studies and plans related to the current and future use of land in Charleston County. This Department serves as the professional and technical staff for the County Planning Commission, which is an advisory body to County Council. The Zoning & Planning Department also serves as the professional and technical staff for the County's Board of Zoning Appeals and to the Towns of Kiawah Island, Meggett and Rockville.

Responsibilities

• Process applications for: zoning permits, subdivision of land, rezonings, planned developments, variance requests, special exception requests, site plan review, Zoning & land Development Regulations Ordinance text amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments and appeals of administrative decisions
• Coordinate with police, fire and Emergency Services departments to assure accuracy, consistency and agreement of addresses, street names and any newly annexed properties for use by the 9-1-1 emergency system
• Analyze U.S. Census and statistical data
• Assist in region-wide planning
• Enforce County ordinances related to land use and tree protection
• Plan for the protection of the County's natural and man-made environments
• Plan for the efficient and attractive future development of Charleston County
• Provide support and expertise to members of County Council, the Charleston County Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and to other departments of County Government
• Conduct studies to develop background information for plans
• Review and approve subdivision plats in compliance with Charleston County development regulations
• Maintain records of annexations within the County
• Assist municipalities in preparing comprehensive plans and land development regulations
• Provide technical design services for County Capital Improvement projects
• Provide graphic design services to other County departments

Common Terms

Plat - A drawing of the property that is drawn to scale showing all essential data pertaining to the boundaries and subdivisions of a tract of land, as determined by a survey. A plat must be prepared, signed and sealed by a registered professional land surveyor licensed by the state of South Carolina. Note: A plat must be approved by a governmental entity and recorded by the Register of Mesne Conveyance (RMC).

Site Plan - An engineer's scaled-size drawing of a parcel, showing the location of proposed and existing structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

History

On March 14, 1942, the S.C. General Assembly passed the County Planning Act, permitting Charleston County to create a Planning Board. A month later, the Board of Commissioners appointed members to the board. On January 3, 1943, the commissioners hired a Planning Technician/Director. By March 24, 1943, the County Board of Commissioners approved the Planning Board's recommendations for an interim zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations and regulations for tourist courts and trailer camps. On December 27, 1944, the Commissioners created the Board of Adjustment and appointed its members.

In June 1945, the Legislative Delegation, who at the time controlled the County's fiscal activities, declined funding for continuation of the Planning Board's activities. The Planning Director and Assistant Director resigned, leaving no administrative entity to enforce planning legislation.

Upon recommendation of the Chairman of the Planning Board Advisory Committee, in 1953 County Council created the Planning Department to write and administer the County's Subdivision Ordinance, which was adopted in 1955. Enabling legislation passed by the S.C. General Assembly authorized adoption of this ordinance and subsequent zoning ordinances.

The Planning Act of 1994 mandated that by May 3, 1999, all South Carolina counties must bring plans and zoning ordinances into conformity with the provisions of the act. This law specifies how local governments must organize their planning commissions and boards of zoning appeals, processes applications and enforces ordinances. It also requires each Planning Commission to develop comprehensive plans with public participation and make recommendations to the local governing bodies. Charleston County adopted the first Comprehensive Plan for the County on April 20, 1999 and adopted the 10 year update of the Plan on November 18, 2008. The County's Zoning and Land Development Regulations ordinance was adopted on November 20, 2001, and amended accordingly.

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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