Zoning & Planning

Responsibilities

The Zoning & Planning Department administers the County's Comprehensive Plan ordinance (adopted by County Council on April 20, 1999, as amended) and the Zoning and Land Development Regulations ordinance (adopted by County Council on November 20, 2001, as amended) and prepares various studies and plans related to the current and future use of land in Charleston County. The Department serves as the professional and technical planning staff for County Council, as well as for the County Planning Commission, County Board of Zoning Appeals and County Historic Preservation Commission. The Department also serves as the professional and technical planning staff for the Town of Rockville.

• Processing of reviews, updates and amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan;
• Process applications for: zoning permits, subdivision of land, rezonings, planned developments, development agreements, variance requests, special exception requests, site plan review, Zoning & Land Development Regulations Ordinance text amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments, Certificates of Historic Appropriateness, Designations of Historic Properties and Districts, and appeals of zoning and subdivision related administrative decisions;
• Assist in region-wide planning;
• Enforce County ordinances related to land use, development, environmental management 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, Historic Preservation Commission, and to other departments of County Government as well as to the public;
• Maintain records of annexations within the County;
• Assist municipalities in preparing comprehensive plans and land development regulations, as requested; and
• Provide technical design services for County Capital Improvement projects.