Zoning & Planning

Due to current circumstances, as of March 19, 2020, the Charleston County Zoning & Planning Department will be conducting the following processes remotely. Click here for details.

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

Planning Commission & Board Of Zoning Appeals

C/O Planning Department
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405

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

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

All Departments

Maybank Highway and Main Road Zoning Project

The Charleston County Zoning and Planning Department maintains an Annual Work program approved by County Council. Two important projects listed in this program are to "Review and revise the Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District in coordination with the City of Charleston" and "Create an Overlay Zoning District for Main Road". In July 2018, Charleston County and City of Charleston Planning Departments began this collaborative planning effort to create consistent land use, zoning, and development requirements for both the Maybank Highway Corridor and the Main Road Corridor. A fourth and final round of on-location public workshops to finalize the draft overlay zoning districts were conducted in October 2019.

On January 13, 2020, a Planning Commission workshop was held to present and discuss the proposed James Island Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District (JA-MHC-O), Johns Island Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District (JO-MHC-O), and Johns Island Main Road Corridor Overlay Zoning District (MRC-O). The intent of the workshop was to provide a forum for the Planning Commission and the public to comment and ask questions regarding the proposed overlay zoning districts. No formal action was taken by the Planning Commission at this workshop. Once scheduled, the date, time, and location of the next public meeting for this project will be posted here.

To learn more about the Maybank Highway and Main Road Overlay Zoning Project, visit the project page by clicking the button below.

Kiawah River Development Agreement

The 25-year Kiawah River Development Agreement (“Agreement”) was originally adopted by Charleston County Council on December 22, 2009. The Agreement included rezoning the subject property from the Single Family Residential (R-4) District/Agricultural Preservation (AG-8) Zoning Districts to the Planned Development (PD-143) Zoning District. In 2018, the owner of the property submitted a request to amend both the Agreement and Planned Development Zoning District to clarify and update the development requirements. Those requests were adopted by County Council on October 9, 2018.

The Kiawah River development, which is located on the southern portion of Johns Island across the Kiawah River from Kiawah Island, encompasses 1,427 acres, of which 1,083 acres are highland (187 acres are freshwater wetlands and 157 acres are OCRM Critical Line Area). The currently approved Agreement and Planned Development (PD-143A) Zoning District allow:

• A maximum of 1,285 dwelling units, of which up to 1,285 can be single family detached units (max. 227 on OCRM Critical Line), 320 can be single family attached units, and 320 can be multi-family units; up to 117 workforce housing units are required.
• Up to 80,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
• Up to 450 guest rooms.
• A minimum of 635.31 acres of open space.
• Access to both Betsy Kerrison Pkwy and Mullet Hall Rd.

Please contact the Charleston County Zoning and Planning Department at 843.202.7200 or planning@charlestoncounty.org if you have any questions regarding this development.

ZLDR-12-19-00119 and ACP-12-19-00116: Request to amend the future land use designation in the Parkers Ferry Overlay Zoning District for TMS 121-00-00-010 and an 8.363-acre portion of TMS 121-00-00-009 from Residential to Commercial and to amend the definition in Chapter 12 of the ZLDR for Agricultural Sales and Service to include Farm Equipment Sales and Service.

ZREZ-01-20-00111: Request to rezone TMS 311-00-00-025 and 311-00-00-097 from Residential (R-4) to Planned Development, PD-174, Murray Creek, for a residential subdivision and microfarm.

ZREZ-02-20-00112: Request to rezone a 0.34-acre portion of TMS 301-00-00-038 from Industrial (I) to Planned Development, PD-172, Bees Ferry Road Sign, for placement of a digital billboard.

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 Lincolnville
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

E-mail your comments or questions about this site to publicinfo@charlestoncounty.org
Report technical problems with this site to webmaster@charlestoncounty.org

This is the official web site for Charleston County Government.
Copyright © 2000-2020, Charleston County, South Carolina. All rights reserved.
Legal Disclaimer | Refund Disclaimer | Privacy Policy