Charleston County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 9
│ DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
CHAPTER 9 │ DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
ARTICLE 9.1 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
- Protect the public health, safety, and general welfare;
- Promote harmonious, orderly, sustainable, and resilient Development;
- Foster civic beauty by improving the appearance, character and economic value of civic, commercial and industrial Development within the unincorporated areas.
- Implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Plan;
- Facilitate safe transportation, access, vehicular circulation, and parking;
- Assure the protection and preservation of natural resources, such as Trees and wetlands;
- Implement the use of vegetated buffers in order to mitigate the effects of incompatible adjacent uses, to provide transition between neighboring properties and Streets, to moderate climatic effects, and to minimize noise and glare;
- Prioritize low-impact design strategies in order to increase the resilience of Charleston County and preserve the landscape and character of the Lowcountry;
- Implement basic architectural standards, Right-of-Way buffer standards, and Sign standards that will promote attractive, well-designed Development, foster balanced streetscapes, and reduce visual clutter along major Roadways, thus enhancing safe traffic flow; and
- Ensure protection from fire, flood and other dangers, and furthering the public welfare in any regard specified by a local governing body.
At the discretion of the Zoning and Planning Director, the land use buffer and other Development standards contained in this Chapter may be modified for properties in the Industrial Zoning District that contain existing development on multiple Parcels.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
ARTICLE 9.9 DRAINAGE DESIGN
Compliance with the most current version of the Charleston County Stormwater Program Permitting Standards and Procedures Manual is required. The requirements of this Ordinance do not supersede any stormwater requirements detailed in the most current version of the Charleston County Stormwater Program Permitting Standards and Procedures Manual.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
CHAPTER 9 EXHIBITS
Note: The following exhibits are for illustration purposes only. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Ordinance and any heading, drawing, table, figure, or illustration, the text shall control.
9.E.1 Tree Measurement Methods.
9.E.2 Tree Protection Options.
9.E.3 Tree Canopy and Tree Trunk Scaled Graphic.
9.E.4 Tree Dripline.
9.E.5 Excavation within Dripline.
9.E.6 Trenching Methods for Utility Lines.
9.E.7 Pavement Methods under Dripline.
9.E.8 Tree Protection from Fill.
9.E.9 Landscape Buffers.
9.E.10 Parking Landscape Standards.
9.E.11 Site Triangle Standards.
| 9.E.1 Tree Measurement Methods | |
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| 9.E.2 Tree Protection Options | |
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9.E.3 Tree Canopy and Tree Trunk Scaled Graphic 9.E.4 Tree Dripline | |
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9.E.5 Excavation within Dripline 9.E.6 Trenching Methods for Utility Lines | |
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| 9.E.7 Pavement Methods under Dripline | |
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| 9.E.8 Tree Protection from Fill | |
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| 9.E.9 Landscape Buffers | |
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| 9.E.10 Parking Landscape Standards | |
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| 9.E.11 Site Triangle Standards | |
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Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.2.1 General
A.
Trees are essential natural, invaluable economic, and priceless aesthetic resources. They play a critical role in purifying air and water, providing wildlife habitat, enhancing natural drainage, and managing stormwater and sediment. They also help conserve energy by providing shade and shield against noise and glare. Trees promote commerce and tourism by buffering different land uses and beautifying the landscape. For these and other reasons, this Article is intended to enhance the health, safety and welfare of Charleston County and its citizens and visitors.
B.
Applicability and Exemptions.
- 1.The provisions of this Article apply to all real property in unincorporated Charleston County, except as otherwise expressly exempted.
- 2.The following are exempt from the provisions of this Article:
- a.Single-family detached residential Lots of record are exempt except for those relating to Grand Tree documentation, protection and replacement. This does not exempt applications for Major or Minor Subdivisions from the requirements of Sec. 9.4.4, Landscape Buffers.
- b.This Article shall not restrict public utilities and electric suppliers from maintaining safe clearance around existing Utility lines, and existing Easements in accordance with applicable state laws. Siting and construction of future gas, telephone, communications, electrical lines, or other Easements shall not be exempt from the provisions of this Article.
- c.Removal of Trees for “bona fide forestry operations” shall comply with state law.
- d.Removal of Trees for Bona Fide Agricultural Uses pursuant to Sec. 3.8.2, Exemptions, Sub-Paragraph A, provided this exemption does not apply to the Grand Tree documentation, protection, and replacement requirements of this Ordinance.
- e.Removal of Trees associated with relocating the OCRM Critical Line pursuant to 4.24.4.C, except Grand Tree removal, shall be mitigated inch per inch pursuant to section 9.2.6 of this Ordinance.
- f.
- g.Removal of Trees on properties in the Industrial (IN) District pursuant to the following conditions:
- i.Tree removal shall not occur prior to Site Plan Review approval;
- ii.This exemption does not apply to Live Oak species of Grand Trees or any Protected Trees within required buffers and Parking Lots; and
- iii.A mitigation plan for Grand Trees, Protected Trees, and any Trees removed in violation of this Ordinance is required pursuant to Sec. 9.2.6, Tree Replacement, prior to Site Plan Review approval.
- 3.The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), when exercising its authority over the construction, maintenance, and operation of the state highway system, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article. Notwithstanding the foregoing exemption, SCDOT, when using real property as owner or tenant, is subject to the provisions of this Article.
- 4.The Charleston County Public Works Department (CCPW) shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article except Section 9.2.3, Tree Plans and Surveys, and Section 9.2.4, A, B, D, and E, Required Tree Protection, with the following conditions:
- a.Grand Trees other than Live Oak species in all present and proposed Rights-of-Way and Easements not located on a Scenic Highway are protected but may be permitted administratively for removal.
- b.Protected Trees located on a Scenic Highway and Live Oak species of Grand Trees may be approved for removal by Charleston County Council as part of a CCPW initiated road or drainage project. In such cases, County Council shall hold a Public Hearing for the request prior to final approval.
- c.The project is under review within the County's Limited Site Plan Review Process and in an approvable state.
- d.Protected Trees located on a Scenic Highway that are Impacted within CCPW road projects shall be mitigated pursuant to Section 9.2.6.D, Tree Replacement. To the greatest extent possible, the replacement trees shall be planted in the same general area to provide a replacement tree canopy. A tree mitigation plan shall be provided as part of the County Council approval process.
- e.Grand Trees that are Impacted within CCPW road projects shall be mitigated pursuant to Section 9.2.6.D, Tree Replacement. To the greatest extent possible, the replacement trees shall be planted in the same general area to provide a replacement tree canopy. A tree mitigation plan shall be provided as part of the County Council approval process.
C.
Definition of "Tree Removal." For the purpose of this Article, the term "Tree Removal" shall include, but not be limited to, damage inflicted to the root system by machinery; girdling; storage of materials and soil compaction, changing the natural Grade above or below the root system or around the trunk; damage inflicted on the Tree permitting fungus infection or pest infestation; excessive pruning; excessive thinning; excessive paving with concrete, asphalt or other impervious material within such proximity as to be harmful to the Tree; excessive grading; or any act of malicious damage to a Tree. Pruning or thinning more than 25 percent of the leaf surface on both the lateral branch and the overall foliage of a mature Tree that is pruned within a growing season shall be considered excessive. Paving or grading more than 25 percent of the root zone of the Tree protection area shall also be considered excessive. Additionally, one-half of the foliage of a mature Tree is to remain evenly distributed in the lower two thirds of the crown and individual limbs upon completion of any pruning. Removal of branches, limbs, and/or stems with a DBH of 8 inches or greater that originate from below four and a half feet as measured from ground level shall not occur on Grand or Protected Trees unless the branch, limb, or stem is dead, diseased, dying, or hazardous as determined by the Zoning and Planning Director; otherwise, the removal must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The final determination of Tree Removal shall be made by the Zoning and Planning Director.
D.
Measurements and Definitions.
- 1.If a Tree trunk splits at ground level and the trunks do not share a common base (separated by earth at natural Grade), then each trunk shall be measured as a separate Tree. If a multi-trunk Tree splits below the four and one half foot mark and the trunks share a common base, all trunks shall be measured separately, added together, and counted as one Tree, unless the trunks are of different species. Any trunk measuring less than eight inches DBH is not included in the calculation.
- 2.
- 3.All Grand Trees are prohibited from removal unless otherwise exempted by this Ordinance, a Grand Tree Removal Permit is issued, or if the removal is part of an approved Bona Fide Forestry Operation.
- 4.Limited removal is allowed only when specified in this Article.
- 5.All Trees six inches DBH and greater located within a designated Scenic Road Right-of-Way shall require protection as Protected Trees pursuant to the Protected Tree requirements of this Ordinance.
(Ord. No. 2362, 10/14/2025)
Effective on: 10/14/2025, as amended
Sec. 9.2.2 Administration
- Removal of Grand and Protected Trees is prohibited prior to the issuance of a Zoning Permit, which may be issued after a Tree plan is approved by the Zoning and Planning Director, pursuant to Sec. 9.2.3, Tree Plans and Surveys.
- Excess Canopy (Limb) Removal.
- Removal of three or more limbs with an individual diameter of six inches or greater requires a Zoning Permit.
- Removal of any size limbs contributing to more than 100 continuous linear feet of canopy over public Roadways requires Variance approval from the BZA. This requirement does not preclude SCDOT, CCPW, or other entities from maintaining height clearances at a minimum of 14 feet, width clearances within designated travel ways, and removing unprotected Trees along Rights-of-Way for road widening projects.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.2.3 Tree Plans and Surveys
A.
General.
- 1.Tree plans of the same scale as, and superimposed on, a Development site plan or Preliminary Plat shall include location, number, size (DBH), and species with a scaled graphic representation of each Grand Tree, along with the canopy size and shape, and trunk location.
- 2.
- 3.The survey shall include all Trees to be protected or preserved, and those scheduled to be removed, including dead and damaged Trees. In cases where a previously approved recorded Plat is utilized for the purpose of Tree plans, the name, address, phone number, signature, and seal of the licensed surveyor, civil engineer, or landscape architect registered in the State of South Carolina shall be provided. A scaled infrared or high resolution black-and-white aerial photograph or print of equal quality may be substituted in cases where the Director determines that it would provide the same information as a Tree plan. However, all Grand Trees within 40 feet of proposed construction and land disturbance areas and Trees within required buffers must be surveyed and mapped.
B.
C.
Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Family, Civic/Institutional, and Other Uses.
- 1.
- 2.When the Subject Property has frontage along a designated Scenic Road, the Tree survey must show the location, number, size, and species of all Trees six inches DBH and greater in areas proposed to be disturbed within the Right-of-Way of the designated Scenic Road.
- 3.When there are no Trees that meet the above listed criteria , documentation to that effect shall be provided from a licensed surveyor, civil engineer, forester, arborist, or registered landscape architect.
D.
Agricultural and Single-Family Detached Residential Uses must show all Grand Trees within 40 feet of the area of construction land disturbance, Rights-of-Way, and Easements, and in conjunction with the Subdivision regulations at the time a Zoning or Building Permit application is made.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.2.4 Required Tree Protection
A.
General.
- 1.All Grand Trees and any other Trees required to remain on a site must be protected during construction and Development of a Parcel. Tree protection must be shown on all Development plans prior to site plan approval. A site inspection of the Tree barricades must be scheduled by the Applicant with the Zoning and Planning Department for approval prior to the issuance of permits or the start of Development activities.
- 2.Prior to issuance of a Zoning Permit, a pre-construction planning conference is required for on-site Tree preservation with the Zoning and Planning Director or staff representative, the Applicant(s), and any appropriate parties for determining if there is need for additional Tree protection techniques and for designating placement of Tree barricades, construction employee parking, temporary construction office, and dumpsters.
B.
Prior to the start of Land Development activities, protective Tree barricades shall be placed around all Required Trees in or near Development areas. The barricades shall be constructed of wood, metal, or plastic fencing or other materials approved by the Zoning and Planning Director, and include a top rail. Tree barricades shall be placed beneath the canopy Drip Line or one foot times the DBH of the Tree as a radius from the trunk, whichever is greater. Other protective devices or construction techniques may be used as approved by the Zoning and Planning Director. Three inches of mulch shall be installed and maintained within all Tree barricade areas. The mulch shall remain in place throughout Development activities. The area within the Tree barricade shall remain free of all Building materials, dirt, fill, and other construction debris, vehicles, and Development activities. All Required Trees are also subject to the requirements of Sec. 9.4.6, Landscape Materials Standards, and Article 11.3, Enforcement Responsibility and Complaints.
C.
D.
Limited Clearing and/or Grubbing may be authorized by the Zoning and Planning Director prior to the installation of Tree barricades on sites that exhibit unusually heavy undergrowth and where access to the interior of the site and its Protected Trees is impractical. Limited Clearing shall be for the express purpose of accessing the property and Protected Trees to erect the Required Tree barricades and silt fencing. Such limited Clearing shall be done with hand tools, push or walk -behind equipment, or lightweight bush-hog type equipment designed for brush and undergrowth Clearing and which is not capable of removing vegetation greater than three inches in diameter. Under no circumstances may metal-tracked bulldozers, loaders, or similar rider/operator equipment be allowed on site until the Tree barricades are erected and a Zoning Permit is issued.
E.
Limited encroachments into the area located within Tree barricades may be allowed by the Zoning and Planning Director provided that encroachments do not constitute more than 25 percent of the protected area beneath a Tree and do not occur in the area located within three times the DBH in inches from the trunk of the Tree unless otherwise approved by the BZA. The Zoning and Planning Director may allow administrative approval encroachments of up to 35 percent of the protected area when the Zoning and Planning Director approves a Tree Preservation Plan submitted by the applicant. The Tree Preservation Plan must be adhered to by the applicant as directed by the Zoning and Planning Director; otherwise, it shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance. Any paving, Grading, trenching, or filling of the protected area must be pre-approved by the Zoning and Planning Director or the Board of Zoning Appeals, as required by this Ordinance, and may require specific construction techniques to preserve the health of the Tree. When grading and construction within the protected area of a Tree has been approved, all damaged roots shall be severed clean.
F.
Prior to issuance of a Zoning Permit for uses other than Single-Family Detached Residential, the following numbers of Trees with a DBH of eight inches or greater shall be preserved and protected pursuant to the requirements of this Ordinance. Preservation and protection of native Trees is to be prioritized. Properties within the Industrial (IN) District may elect to mitigate the removal of these Protected Trees, as described in Sec. 9.2.6.D, with the exception that all Grand trees and any required Buffer tree measuring eight inches (8") or greater shall be preserved. On properties in the IN District that elect to mitigate the removal of these Protected Trees and where the planting of canopy trees is required within Buffers and other landscaping, screening, and buffer areas, canopy trees shall be a minimum of four inch (4") caliper.
G.
When Lots lack a sufficient number of Trees to meet the requirement for DBH/number of Trees per acre, this requirement shall be fulfilled by existing Trees and must equal 40 inches per acre combined DBH. On Lots with less than 40 inches per acre combined DBH, additional Trees shall be planted on the Lot equaling or exceeding 40 inches per acre combined DBH. Planting schedules shall be approved by the Zoning and Planning Director. Properties within the Industrial (IN) District may elect to mitigate the removal of Protected Trees, as described in Sec. 9.2.6.D, with the exception that all Grand Trees and any required Buffer tree measuring eight inches (8") or greater shall be preserved. On properties in the IN District that elect to mitigate the removal of Protected Trees and where the planting of canopy trees is required within Buffers and other landscaping, screening and buffer areas, canopy trees shall be a minimum of four inch (4") caliper.
H.
(Ord. No. 2362, 10/14/2025)
Effective on: 10/14/2025, as amended
Sec. 9.2.5 Tree Removal
- Trees are not required to be retained by the provisions of this Article.
- Trees are diseased, dead, or dying. Documentation may be submitted by a qualified tree care professional and approved by the Zoning and Planning Director;
- Trees pose an imminent safety hazard to nearby Buildings, pedestrian, or vehicular traffic (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Director or a qualified construction professional); or
- Removal of Required Trees has been approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.2.6 Tree Replacement
A.
Tree replacement shall be required accompanying Development on all non-exempt properties in the manner described below:
- 1.When replacement Canopy Trees are required in fulfillment of the requirements of this Article, they shall be no smaller than two and one-half-inch Caliper, except where caliper is otherwise identified
- 2.The Zoning and Planning Director or Board of Zoning Appeals is empowered to require Trees of larger Caliper as determined appropriate for site-specific conditions and the circumstances, lawful or illegal, under which removal occurred.
B.
When Trees of eight inches DBH or greater have been removed in violation of this Ordinance, replacement Trees shall be planted in the same general area according to a replacement schedule approved by the Zoning and Planning Director.
C.
Where sites were cleared of Trees prior to the adoption of this Article or have been cleared subsequently for activities exempted from this Article, replacement Trees shall be planted, the combined Caliper of which equals or exceeds 40 inches per acre. Replacement schedules, including number, species, Caliper, and placement shall be approved by the Zoning and Planning Director.
D.
The Tree Fund is established to receive monies exacted from tree removal violation fines or other Tree removal mitigation, to include, but not limited to, removal, damage, destruction, or as defined in Sec. 9.2.1.C of this Chapter, and as a form of mitigation when planting of the Required Trees is determined to be detrimental to the overall health of existing Trees or impractical for the intended site design. The Zoning and Planning Director shall impose a Tree Mitigation fee of $250 per inch required to meet the total mitigation inches amount. In cases of unpermitted Grand Tree removal in violation of this Ordinance, the inches required to be mitigated shall be equal to or greater than three times the diameter of the Grand Tree removed. All Tree Mitigation fees collected shall be paid to the County Treasurer and placed in an account established exclusively for public beautification through the planting of trees in Charleston County.
E.
When Trees have been removed through an approved mitigation program and the project will not be completed for any reason (i.e., bankruptcy, abandonment, change in ownership, etc.), the owners of the Subject Property are responsible for the mitigation of the removed Trees as outlined and agreed or subject to Sec. 9.2.6.D of this Chapter.
(Ord. No. 2362, 10/14/2025)
Effective on: 10/14/2025, as amended
Sec. 9.2.7 Inspections and Final Approval
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.1 General
- New Development. The off-street parking and loading standards of this Article apply to the establishment of new uses/businesses, new Building construction, redevelopment, or reconstruction pursuant to Art. 3.7, Site Plan Review, of this Ordinance.
- Expansions and Alterations. The standards of this Article apply when an existing Structure or use is expanded, enlarged, or substantially improved pursuant to Art. 3.7, Site Plan Review, of this Ordinance. Additional off-street parking and loading spaces will be required only to serve the enlarged, expanded, or substantially improved area, provided that in all cases, the number of off-street parking and loading spaces provided for the entire use (pre-existing and expanded) must equal at least 75 percent of the minimum ratio established in Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Requirements.
- All parking utilizes pervious materials. This excludes required parking outlined in Sec. 9.3.6, Accessible Parking;
- The site can support the minimum number of required parking spaces and meet the buffering and landscaping requirements and all other Development standards in this Ordinance; or
- The reduction in parking is necessary to meet the regulations contained in Article 9.2, Tree Protection and Preservation.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.2 Off-Street Parking Requirements
A.
Minimum Requirements. Unless otherwise expressly allowed, off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Schedule.
Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
| USE TABLE | NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES REQUIRED (MINIMUM) |
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |
| AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SUPPORT | |
| Animal and Insect Production; Apiculture | None |
| Horticultural Production; Aquaculture; Mariculture; Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations | 1 per employee |
| Hemp Crop Production and/or Processing | 1 per employee |
| Winery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| Agricultural Processing | 1 per employee |
| Agricultural Sale or Service | 1 per 500 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Roadside Stand | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Community Garden | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| Farmers' Market | 1 per 150 square feet of market area |
| FORESTRY AND LOGGING | |
| Bona Fide Forestry Operations | None |
| Lumber Mill, Planing or Saw Mill | 1 per employee plus 1 per commercial vehicle plus 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| ASSISTED LIVING | |
| Assisted Living | 1 per 3 beds |
| MANUFACTURED HOUSING | |
| Manufactured Housing Unit | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| Manufactured Housing Park | 2 per Manufactured Housing Unit plus 1 guest parking space per every 4 units |
| MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Multi-Family; Duplex; Triplex and Fourplex | 1.5 per 1-bedroom unit; 2 per 2-bedroom unit; 2.5 per 3-bedroom and larger units |
| Dwelling Group | 2 per Dwelling Unit within Group |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| SHORT-TERM RENTAL | |
| Short-Term Rental Property: Limited Home Rental (LHR), Extended Home Rental (EHR), and Commercial Guest House (CGH) | 1 per permitted bedroom plus the required parking for the applicable use |
| SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| OTHER RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| Transitional Housing | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Child Caring Institution; Emergency Shelter | 1 per 4 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Dwelling, Single-Family Detached; Dwelling, Single-Family Attached; Dwelling Group; and Duplex | 1 per Dwelling Unit (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplexes; and Fourplexes [1] | 1 per studio or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 per 2-bedroom unit; and 2 per 3-bedroom and larger units (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Group Residential | 1 per bed |
| Farm Labor Housing | 0.5 per bed |
| CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL | |
| COURTS/PUBLIC SAFETY | |
| Court of Law | 1 per employee plus 1 per every 3 seats of seating available to the public in the courtroom |
| Correctional Institution | 1 per 2 employees |
| Parole Office or Probation Office | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Safety Services | 1 per 2 employees |
| DAY CARE SERVICES | |
| Family Home; Group Home | 1 per 3 beds plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Adult Day Care Service; Child Care Center | 1 per employee plus 1 per 5 children/adults |
| Day Camp | 1 per employee plus 1 per camp vehicle parked on premises |
| DEATH CARE SERVICES | |
| Cemetery | 1 per full time employee |
| Funeral Services | 1 per 3 seats plus 1 per employee |
| EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | |
| Pre-School or Educational Nursery | 1 per 6 students for which the facility is licensed plus 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Primary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Secondary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus 1 per 8 students and vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Higher Education Facility | 1 per 100 square feet classroom plus 1 per 300 square feet office/administrative plus 1 per 3 beds |
| Personal Improvement Education | 1 per every 3 students plus 1 per employee |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICES | |
| Medical Office | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| Community Residential Care Facility; Residential Treatment Facility for Children or Adolescents | 1 per 5 beds |
| Counseling Service | 1 per 150 square feet |
| Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 1 per bed plus 1 per employee |
| Hospital; Hospice Facility | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area of Administrative and Medical Offices |
| Home Health Agency; Health Care Laboratory; Outpatient Facility for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons; Rehabilitation Facility | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area with a minimum of 4 |
| MUSEUM, HISTORIC SITE, AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS | |
| Library or Archive; Museum | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Nature Exhibition; Botanical Garden; Historic Site | 1 per employee in a single shift plus 2 per acre |
| Zoo | 10 plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| POSTAL SERVICE | |
| Postal Service, United States | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Community Recreation | 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Fishing, Hunting, or Recreational Guide Service | 5 per employee |
| Golf Course or Country Club | 1 per employee plus 4 per golf green and 1 per 75 square feet of indoor seating area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor seating area for accessory restaurant or Bar use |
| Parks and Recreation | Parks and Recreation: 1 per 5,000 square feet of land area plus outdoor recreation requirements Passive Recreation Area (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director): 1 per highland acre for 1st 15 acres plus 1 per 15 acres for additional highland area up 100 acres plus 1 per 30 acres for remaining highland area. |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor | 1 per 200 square feet of public activity area plus, Swimming Pool-1 per 200 square feet of water surface area Tennis-2 per court Basketball- 5 per court Athletic Field- 15 per diamond or field |
| Drive-In Theater | 30 per screen plus 1 per employee |
| Golf Driving Range | 1 per tee plus 1 per employee |
| Outdoor Shooting Range | 1 per range position plus 1 per 200 square feet of indoor office area |
| Special Event | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL, AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS | |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political Organization; Social or Civic Organization; Social Club or Lodge; Religious Assembly | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| UTILITIES AND WASTE-RELATED USES | |
| Utility Service, Major | 1 per employee plus 1 per stored vehicle for Parcels with habitable structures |
| Utility Service, Minor | None |
| Waste-Related Use; Septic Tank Installation, Cleaning, or Related Service | 1 per employee |
| Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Public or Private) | 1 per collection container plus 1 per employee |
| COMMERCIAL | |
| ACCOMODATIONS | |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 per room plus spaces as required for associated restaurants, bars, and offices |
| RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park; Campground | 1 per employee plus 1 per recreational vehicle and camp site |
| ANIMAL SERVICES | |
| Stable, Commercial | 1 per 2 stalls |
| Stable, Private | 1 per 5 stalls |
| Kennel; Pet Store or Grooming Salon; Small Animal Boarding | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per employee |
| Veterinary Service | 3 per each veterinarian or allied professional |
| FINANCIAL SERVICES | |
| Bank or Financial Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking spaces per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Short-Term Lender | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| FOOD SERVICES AND DRINKING PLACES | |
| Bar or Lounge | 1 per 75 square feet of indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Catering Service | 1 per 400 square feet of floor area |
| Restaurant, Fast Food | If inside seating: 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking spaces per ARTICLE 9.3.9 and 1 per employee If no inside patron area: 1 per employee plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Restaurant, General | 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Sexually Oriented Business | 1 pe r200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee |
| INFORMATION INDUSTRIES | |
| Communication Service; Data Processing Service; and Publishing Industry | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Communications Tower | None |
| OFFICES | |
| Administrative or Business Office; Government Office; Professional Office | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Convention Center or Visitors Bureau | 4 per 1,000 square feet of Floor Area |
| Heavy Construction Service or General Contractor; Special Trade Contractor (Office/Storage) | 1 per 300 square feet of office area plus 1 per 600 square feet of indoor storage area and 4 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Billboard | None |
| PARKING, COMMERCIAL | |
| Parking Lot; Parking Garage | 1 per employee |
| RENTAL AND LEASING SERVICES | |
| Charter Boat or other Recreational Watercraft Rental Service | 1 per rental boat or watercraft plus 1 per employee |
| Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Rental or Leasing; Commercial or Industrial Machinery or Equipment; Construction Tools or Equipment | 1 per rental vehicle plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Consumer Goods Rental Center | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Self-Service Storage | 3 plus 1 per employee and 1 per 100 units |
| Vehicle Rental or Leasing | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES | |
| Boat Yard | 1 per employee |
| Repair Service, Consumer; Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 per employee or service bay, whichever is greater, plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Repair Service, Commercial | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| RETAIL SALES | |
| Nonstore Retailer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Fuel Dealer, Heating Oil Dealer; Liquified Petroleum Gas (Bottled Gas) Dealer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Home Improvement Center | 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Sales; Liquor, Beer, or Wine Sales; Convenience Store | 1 per 175 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Truck | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of outdoor seating area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Retail Sales or Service, General | 1 per 300 square feet indoor floor area plus 5 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Building Materials or Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Duplicating or Quick Printing Service; Private Postal or Mailing Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Pawn Shop; Warehouse Club or Superstore | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Gasoline Service Station | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Truck Stop | 1 per employee plus truck parking plus spaces as required for associated restaurants or Motels |
| Vehicle Sales; Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Dealer; Manufactured Home Dealer | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Vehicle Parts, Accessories, or Tire Stores | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area (10 minimum) |
| RETAIL OR PERSONAL SERVICES | |
| Consumer Convenience Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Hair, Nail, or Skin Care Service | 2 per employee or work station, whichever is greater |
| Job Training or Placement Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Personal Improvement Service; Physical Fitness or Health Club; Tattoo Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Services to Buildings or Dwellings; Landscaping and Horticultural Service | 1 per employee plus 1 space for deliveries and 1 space per each company vehicle to be dispatched from site |
| VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT STORAGE | |
| Vehicle Storage | 1 per employee |
| Impound Yard; Towing Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per 4,000 square feet of motor vehicle storage area |
| Boat Ramp | 20 per ramp plus spaces as required for associated docks |
| Community Dock; Commercial Dock | 1 per wet slip |
| Marina | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of office area plus 1 per 3 wet slips and 1 per 5 dry stack storage |
| WHOLESALE SALES | |
| Wholesale Sales; Clay or Related Products, Construction Material Wholesaler; Flower, Nursery Stock, or Florists' Supplies Wholesaler; Petroleum Wholesaler | 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining area (over 12,000 square feet) |
| INDUSTRIAL | |
| INDUSTRIAL SERVICES | |
| Laundry, Dry Cleaning, or Carpet Cleaning Plant | 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 washing/drying machines if provided for customer use |
| Photo Finishing Laboratory | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Research and Development Laboratory | 1 per 400 square feet |
| Scrap and Salvage Service | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION | |
| Artisan and Craftsman | 1 per 200 square feet |
| Manufacturing and Production; ; Aircraft Manufacturing and Production, including Related Parts; Chemical Manufacturing and Production; Clay or Related Products, Furniture, Cabinets or Related Products, Toy or Artwork, or Wood Products Manufacturing and Production; Pulp Mill or Paper Mill, Rendering Plant; Slaughter House and Meat Packing; Stone or Shell Products Manufacturing and Production | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| Microbrewery and Distillery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT | |
| Warehouse and Distribution Facility | 1 per 300 square feet office area plus 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet warehouse/storage area plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining warehouse/storage area (over 12,000 square feet) |
Container Storage Facility; Grain Terminal and Elevator; Stockpiling of Sand, Gravel, or other Aggregate Materials; Fuel Storage Facility; Storage or Manufacturing of Weapons or Ammunition | 1 per employee |
| Freight Forwarding Facility | 1 per employee plus 1 per company vehicle |
| OTHER USES | |
| RECYCLING SERVICES | |
| Recycling Center | 1 per employee |
| Recycling Collection Facility | 1 per recycle collection container plus 1 per employee |
| RESOURCE EXTRACTION/MINING | |
| Resource Extraction/Mining | None |
| TRANSPORTATION | |
| Aviation; Private Air Strip | 1 per 5 aircraft tie down or storage plus 1 per 4 seats in waiting room areas |
| Railroad Facility | 1 per 2,500 square feet |
| Sightseeing Transportation, Land or Water | 1 per 2 seats of sightseeing vehicle |
| Taxi or Limousine Service | 1 per employee plus one per vehicle that provides service |
| Urban Transit Service | 1 per 100 square feet of public waiting area plus 1 per two employees and 1 per transit vehicle |
| Water Transportation | 1 per two seats of transportation vehicle plus 1 per employee |
| [1] Transit-Oriented Development. If the Affordable and/or Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplex; and/or Fourplex Development is located within 1,200 feet walking distance of an approved Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), TriCounty Link, or Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) stop, the number of required parking spaces can be reduced to the following minimums: one space per studio or one-bedroom unit; one space per two-bedroom unit; and one and a half spaces per three-bedroom and larger units, with Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. | |
Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
| USE TABLE | NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES REQUIRED (MINIMUM) |
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |
| AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SUPPORT | |
| Animal and Insect Production; Apiculture | None |
| Horticultural Production; Aquaculture; Mariculture; Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations | 1 per employee |
| Hemp Crop Production and/or Processing | 1 per employee |
| Winery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| Agricultural Processing | 1 per employee |
| Agricultural Sale or Service | 1 per 500 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Roadside Stand | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Community Garden | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| Farmers' Market | 1 per 150 square feet of market area |
| FORESTRY AND LOGGING | |
| Bona Fide Forestry Operations | None |
| Lumber Mill, Planing or Saw Mill | 1 per employee plus 1 per commercial vehicle plus 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| ASSISTED LIVING | |
| Assisted Living | 1 per 3 beds |
| MANUFACTURED HOUSING | |
| Manufactured Housing Unit | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| Manufactured Housing Park | 2 per Manufactured Housing Unit plus 1 guest parking space per every 4 units |
| MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Multi-Family; Duplex; Triplex and Fourplex | 1.5 per 1-bedroom unit; 2 per 2-bedroom unit; 2.5 per 3-bedroom and larger units |
| Dwelling Group | 2 per Dwelling Unit within Group |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| SHORT-TERM RENTAL | |
| Short-Term Rental Property: Limited Home Rental (LHR), Extended Home Rental (EHR), and Commercial Guest House (CGH) | 1 per permitted bedroom plus the required parking for the applicable use |
| SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| OTHER RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| Transitional Housing | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Child Caring Institution; Emergency Shelter | 1 per 4 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Dwelling, Single-Family Detached; Dwelling, Single-Family Attached; Dwelling Group; and Duplex | 1 per Dwelling Unit (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplexes; and Fourplexes [1] | 1 per studio or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 per 2-bedroom unit; and 2 per 3-bedroom and larger units (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Group Residential | 1 per bed |
| Farm Labor Housing | 0.5 per bed |
| CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL | |
| COURTS/PUBLIC SAFETY | |
| Court of Law | 1 per employee plus 1 per every 3 seats of seating available to the public in the courtroom |
| Correctional Institution | 1 per 2 employees |
| Parole Office or Probation Office | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Safety Services | 1 per 2 employees |
| DAY CARE SERVICES | |
| Family Home; Group Home | 1 per 3 beds plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Adult Day Care Service; Child Care Center | 1 per employee plus 1 per 5 children/adults |
| Day Camp | 1 per employee plus 1 per camp vehicle parked on premises |
| DEATH CARE SERVICES | |
| Cemetery | 1 per full time employee |
| Funeral Services | 1 per 3 seats plus 1 per employee |
| EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | |
| Pre-School or Educational Nursery | 1 per 6 students for which the facility is licensed plus 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Primary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Secondary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus 1 per 8 students and vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Higher Education Facility | 1 per 100 square feet classroom plus 1 per 300 square feet office/administrative plus 1 per 3 beds |
| Personal Improvement Education | 1 per every 3 students plus 1 per employee |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICES | |
| Medical Office | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| Community Residential Care Facility; Residential Treatment Facility for Children or Adolescents | 1 per 5 beds |
| Counseling Service | 1 per 150 square feet |
| Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 1 per bed plus 1 per employee |
| Hospital; Hospice Facility | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area of Administrative and Medical Offices |
| Home Health Agency; Health Care Laboratory; Outpatient Facility for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons; Rehabilitation Facility | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area with a minimum of 4 |
| MUSEUM, HISTORIC SITE, AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS | |
| Library or Archive; Museum | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Nature Exhibition; Botanical Garden; Historic Site | 1 per employee in a single shift plus 2 per acre |
| Zoo | 10 plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| POSTAL SERVICE | |
| Postal Service, United States | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Community Recreation | 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Fishing, Hunting, or Recreational Guide Service | 5 per employee |
| Golf Course or Country Club | 1 per employee plus 4 per golf green and 1 per 75 square feet of indoor seating area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor seating area for accessory restaurant or Bar use |
| Parks and Recreation | Parks and Recreation: 1 per 5,000 square feet of land area plus outdoor recreation requirements Passive Recreation Area (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director): 1 per highland acre for 1st 15 acres plus 1 per 15 acres for additional highland area up 100 acres plus 1 per 30 acres for remaining highland area. |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor | 1 per 200 square feet of public activity area plus, Swimming Pool-1 per 200 square feet of water surface area Tennis-2 per court Basketball- 5 per court Athletic Field- 15 per diamond or field |
| Drive-In Theater | 30 per screen plus 1 per employee |
| Golf Driving Range | 1 per tee plus 1 per employee |
| Outdoor Shooting Range | 1 per range position plus 1 per 200 square feet of indoor office area |
| Special Event | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL, AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS | |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political Organization; Social or Civic Organization; Social Club or Lodge; Religious Assembly | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| UTILITIES AND WASTE-RELATED USES | |
| Utility Service, Major | 1 per employee plus 1 per stored vehicle for Parcels with habitable structures |
| Utility Service, Minor | None |
| Waste-Related Use; Septic Tank Installation, Cleaning, or Related Service | 1 per employee |
| Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Public or Private) | 1 per collection container plus 1 per employee |
| COMMERCIAL | |
| ACCOMODATIONS | |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 per room plus spaces as required for associated restaurants, bars, and offices |
| RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park; Campground | 1 per employee plus 1 per recreational vehicle and camp site |
| ANIMAL SERVICES | |
| Stable, Commercial | 1 per 2 stalls |
| Stable, Private | 1 per 5 stalls |
| Kennel; Pet Store or Grooming Salon; Small Animal Boarding | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per employee |
| Veterinary Service | 3 per each veterinarian or allied professional |
| FINANCIAL SERVICES | |
| Bank or Financial Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking spaces per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Short-Term Lender | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| FOOD SERVICES AND DRINKING PLACES | |
| Bar or Lounge | 1 per 75 square feet of indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Catering Service | 1 per 400 square feet of floor area |
| Restaurant, Fast Food | If inside seating: 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking spaces per ARTICLE 9.3.9 and 1 per employee If no inside patron area: 1 per employee plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Restaurant, General | 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Sexually Oriented Business | 1 pe r200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee |
| INFORMATION INDUSTRIES | |
| Communication Service; Data Processing Service; and Publishing Industry | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Communications Tower | None |
| OFFICES | |
| Administrative or Business Office; Government Office; Professional Office | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Convention Center or Visitors Bureau | 4 per 1,000 square feet of Floor Area |
| Heavy Construction Service or General Contractor; Special Trade Contractor (Office/Storage) | 1 per 300 square feet of office area plus 1 per 600 square feet of indoor storage area and 4 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Billboard | None |
| PARKING, COMMERCIAL | |
| Parking Lot; Parking Garage | 1 per employee |
| RENTAL AND LEASING SERVICES | |
| Charter Boat or other Recreational Watercraft Rental Service | 1 per rental boat or watercraft plus 1 per employee |
| Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Rental or Leasing; Commercial or Industrial Machinery or Equipment; Construction Tools or Equipment | 1 per rental vehicle plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Consumer Goods Rental Center | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Self-Service Storage | 3 plus 1 per employee and 1 per 100 units |
| Vehicle Rental or Leasing | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES | |
| Boat Yard | 1 per employee |
| Repair Service, Consumer; Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 per employee or service bay, whichever is greater, plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Repair Service, Commercial | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| RETAIL SALES | |
| Nonstore Retailer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Fuel Dealer, Heating Oil Dealer; Liquified Petroleum Gas (Bottled Gas) Dealer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Home Improvement Center | 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Sales; Liquor, Beer, or Wine Sales; Convenience Store | 1 per 175 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Truck | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of outdoor seating area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Retail Sales or Service, General | 1 per 300 square feet indoor floor area plus 5 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Building Materials or Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Duplicating or Quick Printing Service; Private Postal or Mailing Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Pawn Shop; Warehouse Club or Superstore | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Gasoline Service Station | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Truck Stop | 1 per employee plus truck parking plus spaces as required for associated restaurants or Motels |
| Vehicle Sales; Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Dealer; Manufactured Home Dealer | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Vehicle Parts, Accessories, or Tire Stores | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area (10 minimum) |
| RETAIL OR PERSONAL SERVICES | |
| Consumer Convenience Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Hair, Nail, or Skin Care Service | 2 per employee or work station, whichever is greater |
| Job Training or Placement Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Personal Improvement Service; Physical Fitness or Health Club; Tattoo Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Services to Buildings or Dwellings; Landscaping and Horticultural Service | 1 per employee plus 1 space for deliveries and 1 space per each company vehicle to be dispatched from site |
| VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT STORAGE | |
| Vehicle Storage | 1 per employee |
| Impound Yard; Towing Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per 4,000 square feet of motor vehicle storage area |
| Boat Ramp | 20 per ramp plus spaces as required for associated docks |
| Community Dock; Commercial Dock | 1 per wet slip |
| Marina | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of office area plus 1 per 3 wet slips and 1 per 5 dry stack storage |
| WHOLESALE SALES | |
| Wholesale Sales; Clay or Related Products, Construction Material Wholesaler; Flower, Nursery Stock, or Florists' Supplies Wholesaler; Petroleum Wholesaler | 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining area (over 12,000 square feet) |
| INDUSTRIAL | |
| INDUSTRIAL SERVICES | |
| Laundry, Dry Cleaning, or Carpet Cleaning Plant | 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 washing/drying machines if provided for customer use |
| Photo Finishing Laboratory | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Research and Development Laboratory | 1 per 400 square feet |
| Scrap and Salvage Service | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION | |
| Artisan and Craftsman | 1 per 200 square feet |
| Manufacturing and Production; ; Aircraft Manufacturing and Production, including Related Parts; Chemical Manufacturing and Production; Clay or Related Products, Furniture, Cabinets or Related Products, Toy or Artwork, or Wood Products Manufacturing and Production; Pulp Mill or Paper Mill, Rendering Plant; Slaughter House and Meat Packing; Stone or Shell Products Manufacturing and Production | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| Microbrewery and Distillery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT | |
| Warehouse and Distribution Facility | 1 per 300 square feet office area plus 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet warehouse/storage area plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining warehouse/storage area (over 12,000 square feet) |
Container Storage Facility; Grain Terminal and Elevator; Stockpiling of Sand, Gravel, or other Aggregate Materials; Fuel Storage Facility; Storage or Manufacturing of Weapons or Ammunition | 1 per employee |
| Freight Forwarding Facility | 1 per employee plus 1 per company vehicle |
| OTHER USES | |
| RECYCLING SERVICES | |
| Recycling Center | 1 per employee |
| Recycling Collection Facility | 1 per recycle collection container plus 1 per employee |
| RESOURCE EXTRACTION/MINING | |
| Resource Extraction/Mining | None |
| TRANSPORTATION | |
| Aviation; Private Air Strip | 1 per 5 aircraft tie down or storage plus 1 per 4 seats in waiting room areas |
| Railroad Facility | 1 per 2,500 square feet |
| Sightseeing Transportation, Land or Water | 1 per 2 seats of sightseeing vehicle |
| Taxi or Limousine Service | 1 per employee plus one per vehicle that provides service |
| Urban Transit Service | 1 per 100 square feet of public waiting area plus 1 per two employees and 1 per transit vehicle |
| Water Transportation | 1 per two seats of transportation vehicle plus 1 per employee |
| [1] Transit-Oriented Development. If the Affordable and/or Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplex; and/or Fourplex Development is located within 1,200 feet walking distance of an approved Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), TriCounty Link, or Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) stop, the number of required parking spaces can be reduced to the following minimums: one space per studio or one-bedroom unit; one space per two-bedroom unit; and one and a half spaces per three-bedroom and larger units, with Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. | |
Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
| USE TABLE | NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES REQUIRED (MINIMUM) |
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |
| AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SUPPORT | |
| Animal and Insect Production; Apiculture | None |
| Horticultural Production; Aquaculture; Mariculture; Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations | 1 per employee |
| Hemp Crop Production and/or Processing | 1 per employee |
| Winery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| Agricultural Processing | 1 per employee |
| Agricultural Sale or Service | 1 per 500 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Roadside Stand | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Community Garden | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| Farmers' Market | 1 per 150 square feet of market area |
| FORESTRY AND LOGGING | |
| Bona Fide Forestry Operations | None |
| Lumber Mill, Planing or Saw Mill | 1 per employee plus 1 per commercial vehicle plus 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| ASSISTED LIVING | |
| Assisted Living | 1 per 3 beds |
| MANUFACTURED HOUSING | |
| Manufactured Housing Unit | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| Manufactured Housing Park | 2 per Manufactured Housing Unit plus 1 guest parking space per every 4 units |
| MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Multi-Family; Duplex; Triplex and Fourplex | 1.5 per 1-bedroom unit; 2 per 2-bedroom unit; 2.5 per 3-bedroom and larger units |
| Dwelling Group | 2 per Dwelling Unit within Group |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| SHORT-TERM RENTAL | |
| Short-Term Rental Property: Limited Home Rental (LHR), Extended Home Rental (EHR), and Commercial Guest House (CGH) | 1 per permitted bedroom plus the required parking for the applicable use |
| SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| OTHER RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| Transitional Housing | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Child Caring Institution; Emergency Shelter | 1 per 4 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Dwelling, Single-Family Detached; Dwelling, Single-Family Attached; Dwelling Group; and Duplex | 1 per Dwelling Unit (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplexes; and Fourplexes [1] | 1 per studio or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 per 2-bedroom unit; and 2 per 3-bedroom and larger units (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Group Residential | 1 per bed |
| Farm Labor Housing | 0.5 per bed |
| CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL | |
| COURTS/PUBLIC SAFETY | |
| Court of Law | 1 per employee plus 1 per every 3 seats of seating available to the public in the courtroom |
| Correctional Institution | 1 per 2 employees |
| Parole Office or Probation Office | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Safety Services | 1 per 2 employees |
| DAY CARE SERVICES | |
| Family Home; Group Home | 1 per 3 beds plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Adult Day Care Service; Child Care Center | 1 per employee plus 1 per 5 children/adults |
| Day Camp | 1 per employee plus 1 per camp vehicle parked on premises |
| DEATH CARE SERVICES | |
| Cemetery | 1 per full time employee |
| Funeral Services | 1 per 3 seats plus 1 per employee |
| EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | |
| Pre-School or Educational Nursery | 1 per 6 students for which the facility is licensed plus 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Primary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Secondary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus 1 per 8 students and vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Higher Education Facility | 1 per 100 square feet classroom plus 1 per 300 square feet office/administrative plus 1 per 3 beds |
| Personal Improvement Education | 1 per every 3 students plus 1 per employee |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICES | |
| Medical Office | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| Community Residential Care Facility; Residential Treatment Facility for Children or Adolescents | 1 per 5 beds |
| Counseling Service | 1 per 150 square feet |
| Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 1 per bed plus 1 per employee |
| Hospital; Hospice Facility | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area of Administrative and Medical Offices |
| Home Health Agency; Health Care Laboratory; Outpatient Facility for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons; Rehabilitation Facility | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area with a minimum of 4 |
| MUSEUM, HISTORIC SITE, AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS | |
| Library or Archive; Museum | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Nature Exhibition; Botanical Garden; Historic Site | 1 per employee in a single shift plus 2 per acre |
| Zoo | 10 plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| POSTAL SERVICE | |
| Postal Service, United States | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Community Recreation | 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Fishing, Hunting, or Recreational Guide Service | 5 per employee |
| Golf Course or Country Club | 1 per employee plus 4 per golf green and 1 per 75 square feet of indoor seating area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor seating area for accessory restaurant or Bar use |
| Parks and Recreation | Parks and Recreation: 1 per 5,000 square feet of land area plus outdoor recreation requirements Passive Recreation Area (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director): 1 per highland acre for 1st 15 acres plus 1 per 15 acres for additional highland area up 100 acres plus 1 per 30 acres for remaining highland area. |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor | 1 per 200 square feet of public activity area plus, Swimming Pool-1 per 200 square feet of water surface area Tennis-2 per court Basketball- 5 per court Athletic Field- 15 per diamond or field |
| Drive-In Theater | 30 per screen plus 1 per employee |
| Golf Driving Range | 1 per tee plus 1 per employee |
| Outdoor Shooting Range | 1 per range position plus 1 per 200 square feet of indoor office area |
| Special Event | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL, AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS | |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political Organization; Social or Civic Organization; Social Club or Lodge; Religious Assembly | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| UTILITIES AND WASTE-RELATED USES | |
| Utility Service, Major | 1 per employee plus 1 per stored vehicle for Parcels with habitable structures |
| Utility Service, Minor | None |
| Waste-Related Use; Septic Tank Installation, Cleaning, or Related Service | 1 per employee |
| Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Public or Private) | 1 per collection container plus 1 per employee |
| COMMERCIAL | |
| ACCOMODATIONS | |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 per room plus spaces as required for associated restaurants, bars, and offices |
| RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park; Campground | 1 per employee plus 1 per recreational vehicle and camp site |
| ANIMAL SERVICES | |
| Stable, Commercial | 1 per 2 stalls |
| Stable, Private | 1 per 5 stalls |
| Kennel; Pet Store or Grooming Salon; Small Animal Boarding | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per employee |
| Veterinary Service | 3 per each veterinarian or allied professional |
| FINANCIAL SERVICES | |
| Bank or Financial Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking spaces per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Short-Term Lender | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| FOOD SERVICES AND DRINKING PLACES | |
| Bar or Lounge | 1 per 75 square feet of indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Catering Service | 1 per 400 square feet of floor area |
| Restaurant, Fast Food | If inside seating: 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking spaces per ARTICLE 9.3.9 and 1 per employee If no inside patron area: 1 per employee plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Restaurant, General | 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Sexually Oriented Business | 1 pe r200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee |
| INFORMATION INDUSTRIES | |
| Communication Service; Data Processing Service; and Publishing Industry | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Communications Tower | None |
| OFFICES | |
| Administrative or Business Office; Government Office; Professional Office | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Convention Center or Visitors Bureau | 4 per 1,000 square feet of Floor Area |
| Heavy Construction Service or General Contractor; Special Trade Contractor (Office/Storage) | 1 per 300 square feet of office area plus 1 per 600 square feet of indoor storage area and 4 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Billboard | None |
| PARKING, COMMERCIAL | |
| Parking Lot; Parking Garage | 1 per employee |
| RENTAL AND LEASING SERVICES | |
| Charter Boat or other Recreational Watercraft Rental Service | 1 per rental boat or watercraft plus 1 per employee |
| Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Rental or Leasing; Commercial or Industrial Machinery or Equipment; Construction Tools or Equipment | 1 per rental vehicle plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Consumer Goods Rental Center | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Self-Service Storage | 3 plus 1 per employee and 1 per 100 units |
| Vehicle Rental or Leasing | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES | |
| Boat Yard | 1 per employee |
| Repair Service, Consumer; Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 per employee or service bay, whichever is greater, plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Repair Service, Commercial | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| RETAIL SALES | |
| Nonstore Retailer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Fuel Dealer, Heating Oil Dealer; Liquified Petroleum Gas (Bottled Gas) Dealer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Home Improvement Center | 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Sales; Liquor, Beer, or Wine Sales; Convenience Store | 1 per 175 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Truck | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of outdoor seating area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Retail Sales or Service, General | 1 per 300 square feet indoor floor area plus 5 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Building Materials or Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Duplicating or Quick Printing Service; Private Postal or Mailing Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Pawn Shop; Warehouse Club or Superstore | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Gasoline Service Station | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Truck Stop | 1 per employee plus truck parking plus spaces as required for associated restaurants or Motels |
| Vehicle Sales; Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Dealer; Manufactured Home Dealer | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Vehicle Parts, Accessories, or Tire Stores | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area (10 minimum) |
| RETAIL OR PERSONAL SERVICES | |
| Consumer Convenience Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Hair, Nail, or Skin Care Service | 2 per employee or work station, whichever is greater |
| Job Training or Placement Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Personal Improvement Service; Physical Fitness or Health Club; Tattoo Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Services to Buildings or Dwellings; Landscaping and Horticultural Service | 1 per employee plus 1 space for deliveries and 1 space per each company vehicle to be dispatched from site |
| VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT STORAGE | |
| Vehicle Storage | 1 per employee |
| Impound Yard; Towing Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per 4,000 square feet of motor vehicle storage area |
| Boat Ramp | 20 per ramp plus spaces as required for associated docks |
| Community Dock; Commercial Dock | 1 per wet slip |
| Marina | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of office area plus 1 per 3 wet slips and 1 per 5 dry stack storage |
| WHOLESALE SALES | |
| Wholesale Sales; Clay or Related Products, Construction Material Wholesaler; Flower, Nursery Stock, or Florists' Supplies Wholesaler; Petroleum Wholesaler | 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining area (over 12,000 square feet) |
| INDUSTRIAL | |
| INDUSTRIAL SERVICES | |
| Laundry, Dry Cleaning, or Carpet Cleaning Plant | 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 washing/drying machines if provided for customer use |
| Photo Finishing Laboratory | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Research and Development Laboratory | 1 per 400 square feet |
| Scrap and Salvage Service | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION | |
| Artisan and Craftsman | 1 per 200 square feet |
| Manufacturing and Production; ; Aircraft Manufacturing and Production, including Related Parts; Chemical Manufacturing and Production; Clay or Related Products, Furniture, Cabinets or Related Products, Toy or Artwork, or Wood Products Manufacturing and Production; Pulp Mill or Paper Mill, Rendering Plant; Slaughter House and Meat Packing; Stone or Shell Products Manufacturing and Production | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| Microbrewery and Distillery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT | |
| Warehouse and Distribution Facility | 1 per 300 square feet office area plus 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet warehouse/storage area plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining warehouse/storage area (over 12,000 square feet) |
Container Storage Facility; Grain Terminal and Elevator; Stockpiling of Sand, Gravel, or other Aggregate Materials; Fuel Storage Facility; Storage or Manufacturing of Weapons or Ammunition | 1 per employee |
| Freight Forwarding Facility | 1 per employee plus 1 per company vehicle |
| OTHER USES | |
| RECYCLING SERVICES | |
| Recycling Center | 1 per employee |
| Recycling Collection Facility | 1 per recycle collection container plus 1 per employee |
| RESOURCE EXTRACTION/MINING | |
| Resource Extraction/Mining | None |
| TRANSPORTATION | |
| Aviation; Private Air Strip | 1 per 5 aircraft tie down or storage plus 1 per 4 seats in waiting room areas |
| Railroad Facility | 1 per 2,500 square feet |
| Sightseeing Transportation, Land or Water | 1 per 2 seats of sightseeing vehicle |
| Taxi or Limousine Service | 1 per employee plus one per vehicle that provides service |
| Urban Transit Service | 1 per 100 square feet of public waiting area plus 1 per two employees and 1 per transit vehicle |
| Water Transportation | 1 per two seats of transportation vehicle plus 1 per employee |
| [1] Transit-Oriented Development. If the Affordable and/or Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplex; and/or Fourplex Development is located within 1,200 feet walking distance of an approved Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), TriCounty Link, or Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) stop, the number of required parking spaces can be reduced to the following minimums: one space per studio or one-bedroom unit; one space per two-bedroom unit; and one and a half spaces per three-bedroom and larger units, with Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. | |
Table 9.3.2, Off-Street Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
| USE TABLE | NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES REQUIRED (MINIMUM) |
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |
| AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SUPPORT | |
| Animal and Insect Production; Apiculture | None |
| Horticultural Production; Aquaculture; Mariculture; Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations | 1 per employee |
| Hemp Crop Production and/or Processing | 1 per employee |
| Winery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| Agricultural Processing | 1 per employee |
| Agricultural Sale or Service | 1 per 500 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Roadside Stand | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area plus 4 per acre of outdoor sales/display/storage area |
| Community Garden | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| Farmers' Market | 1 per 150 square feet of market area |
| FORESTRY AND LOGGING | |
| Bona Fide Forestry Operations | None |
| Lumber Mill, Planing or Saw Mill | 1 per employee plus 1 per commercial vehicle plus 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| ASSISTED LIVING | |
| Assisted Living | 1 per 3 beds |
| MANUFACTURED HOUSING | |
| Manufactured Housing Unit | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| Manufactured Housing Park | 2 per Manufactured Housing Unit plus 1 guest parking space per every 4 units |
| MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Multi-Family; Duplex; Triplex and Fourplex | 1.5 per 1-bedroom unit; 2 per 2-bedroom unit; 2.5 per 3-bedroom and larger units |
| Dwelling Group | 2 per Dwelling Unit within Group |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| SHORT-TERM RENTAL | |
| Short-Term Rental Property: Limited Home Rental (LHR), Extended Home Rental (EHR), and Commercial Guest House (CGH) | 1 per permitted bedroom plus the required parking for the applicable use |
| SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING | |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 2 per Dwelling Unit |
| OTHER RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| Transitional Housing | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Child Caring Institution; Emergency Shelter | 1 per 4 beds plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Dwelling, Single-Family Detached; Dwelling, Single-Family Attached; Dwelling Group; and Duplex | 1 per Dwelling Unit (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Affordable and Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplexes; and Fourplexes [1] | 1 per studio or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 per 2-bedroom unit; and 2 per 3-bedroom and larger units (requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals) |
| Group Residential | 1 per bed |
| Farm Labor Housing | 0.5 per bed |
| CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL | |
| COURTS/PUBLIC SAFETY | |
| Court of Law | 1 per employee plus 1 per every 3 seats of seating available to the public in the courtroom |
| Correctional Institution | 1 per 2 employees |
| Parole Office or Probation Office | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Safety Services | 1 per 2 employees |
| DAY CARE SERVICES | |
| Family Home; Group Home | 1 per 3 beds plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Adult Day Care Service; Child Care Center | 1 per employee plus 1 per 5 children/adults |
| Day Camp | 1 per employee plus 1 per camp vehicle parked on premises |
| DEATH CARE SERVICES | |
| Cemetery | 1 per full time employee |
| Funeral Services | 1 per 3 seats plus 1 per employee |
| EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | |
| Pre-School or Educational Nursery | 1 per 6 students for which the facility is licensed plus 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Primary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| School, Secondary | 1 for each vehicle owned and operated by the school plus two per employee (including faculty, administrative, etc.) plus 1 per 8 students and vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Higher Education Facility | 1 per 100 square feet classroom plus 1 per 300 square feet office/administrative plus 1 per 3 beds |
| Personal Improvement Education | 1 per every 3 students plus 1 per employee |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICES | |
| Medical Office | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| Community Residential Care Facility; Residential Treatment Facility for Children or Adolescents | 1 per 5 beds |
| Counseling Service | 1 per 150 square feet |
| Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 1 per bed plus 1 per employee |
| Hospital; Hospice Facility | 1 per 2 beds plus 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area of Administrative and Medical Offices |
| Home Health Agency; Health Care Laboratory; Outpatient Facility for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons; Rehabilitation Facility | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area with a minimum of 4 |
| MUSEUM, HISTORIC SITE, AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS | |
| Library or Archive; Museum | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Nature Exhibition; Botanical Garden; Historic Site | 1 per employee in a single shift plus 2 per acre |
| Zoo | 10 plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| POSTAL SERVICE | |
| Postal Service, United States | 1 per 150 square feet of Floor Area |
| RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Community Recreation | 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Fishing, Hunting, or Recreational Guide Service | 5 per employee |
| Golf Course or Country Club | 1 per employee plus 4 per golf green and 1 per 75 square feet of indoor seating area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor seating area for accessory restaurant or Bar use |
| Parks and Recreation | Parks and Recreation: 1 per 5,000 square feet of land area plus outdoor recreation requirements Passive Recreation Area (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director): 1 per highland acre for 1st 15 acres plus 1 per 15 acres for additional highland area up 100 acres plus 1 per 30 acres for remaining highland area. |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
| Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor | 1 per 200 square feet of public activity area plus, Swimming Pool-1 per 200 square feet of water surface area Tennis-2 per court Basketball- 5 per court Athletic Field- 15 per diamond or field |
| Drive-In Theater | 30 per screen plus 1 per employee |
| Golf Driving Range | 1 per tee plus 1 per employee |
| Outdoor Shooting Range | 1 per range position plus 1 per 200 square feet of indoor office area |
| Special Event | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL, AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS | |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political Organization; Social or Civic Organization; Social Club or Lodge; Religious Assembly | 1 per 5 fixed seats, 1 per every three attendees, or 1 per every 3 persons in structures with non-fixed seating of the maximum occupancy load as established by building code. The number of spaces required may be reduced a maximum of 50% if off-site parking is provided by recorded parking agreement and transportation between off-site parking areas and event locations is provided. |
| UTILITIES AND WASTE-RELATED USES | |
| Utility Service, Major | 1 per employee plus 1 per stored vehicle for Parcels with habitable structures |
| Utility Service, Minor | None |
| Waste-Related Use; Septic Tank Installation, Cleaning, or Related Service | 1 per employee |
| Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Public or Private) | 1 per collection container plus 1 per employee |
| COMMERCIAL | |
| ACCOMODATIONS | |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 per room plus spaces as required for associated restaurants, bars, and offices |
| RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park; Campground | 1 per employee plus 1 per recreational vehicle and camp site |
| ANIMAL SERVICES | |
| Stable, Commercial | 1 per 2 stalls |
| Stable, Private | 1 per 5 stalls |
| Kennel; Pet Store or Grooming Salon; Small Animal Boarding | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per employee |
| Veterinary Service | 3 per each veterinarian or allied professional |
| FINANCIAL SERVICES | |
| Bank or Financial Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking spaces per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Short-Term Lender | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| FOOD SERVICES AND DRINKING PLACES | |
| Bar or Lounge | 1 per 75 square feet of indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet of outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Catering Service | 1 per 400 square feet of floor area |
| Restaurant, Fast Food | If inside seating: 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking spaces per ARTICLE 9.3.9 and 1 per employee If no inside patron area: 1 per employee plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Restaurant, General | 1 per 75 square feet indoor patron area plus 1 per 150 square feet outdoor patron area and 1 per employee |
| Sexually Oriented Business | 1 pe r200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee |
| INFORMATION INDUSTRIES | |
| Communication Service; Data Processing Service; and Publishing Industry | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Communications Tower | None |
| OFFICES | |
| Administrative or Business Office; Government Office; Professional Office | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Convention Center or Visitors Bureau | 4 per 1,000 square feet of Floor Area |
| Heavy Construction Service or General Contractor; Special Trade Contractor (Office/Storage) | 1 per 300 square feet of office area plus 1 per 600 square feet of indoor storage area and 4 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Billboard | None |
| PARKING, COMMERCIAL | |
| Parking Lot; Parking Garage | 1 per employee |
| RENTAL AND LEASING SERVICES | |
| Charter Boat or other Recreational Watercraft Rental Service | 1 per rental boat or watercraft plus 1 per employee |
| Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Rental or Leasing; Commercial or Industrial Machinery or Equipment; Construction Tools or Equipment | 1 per rental vehicle plus 1 per employee in single shift |
| Consumer Goods Rental Center | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Self-Service Storage | 3 plus 1 per employee and 1 per 100 units |
| Vehicle Rental or Leasing | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES | |
| Boat Yard | 1 per employee |
| Repair Service, Consumer; Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 per employee or service bay, whichever is greater, plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Repair Service, Commercial | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| RETAIL SALES | |
| Nonstore Retailer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Fuel Dealer, Heating Oil Dealer; Liquified Petroleum Gas (Bottled Gas) Dealer | 1 per employee plus 2 for deliveries |
| Home Improvement Center | 1 per 400 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Sales; Liquor, Beer, or Wine Sales; Convenience Store | 1 per 175 square feet of Floor Area |
| Food Truck | 1 per employee plus 1 per 200 square feet of outdoor seating area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Retail Sales or Service, General | 1 per 300 square feet indoor floor area plus 5 per acre outdoor storage/display/sales area |
| Building Materials or Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area not including storage plus 1 per employee |
| Duplicating or Quick Printing Service; Private Postal or Mailing Service | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Pawn Shop; Warehouse Club or Superstore | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Gasoline Service Station | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area plus vehicle stacking per ARTICLE 9.3.9 |
| Truck Stop | 1 per employee plus truck parking plus spaces as required for associated restaurants or Motels |
| Vehicle Sales; Heavy Duty Truck or Commercial Vehicle Dealer; Manufactured Home Dealer | 1 per 2,500 square feet of outdoor display area plus 1 per 250 square feet of Floor Area |
| Vehicle Parts, Accessories, or Tire Stores | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area (10 minimum) |
| RETAIL OR PERSONAL SERVICES | |
| Consumer Convenience Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area and 1 per employee plus vehicle stacking per Art. 9.3.9 |
| Hair, Nail, or Skin Care Service | 2 per employee or work station, whichever is greater |
| Job Training or Placement Service | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Personal Improvement Service; Physical Fitness or Health Club; Tattoo Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area |
| Services to Buildings or Dwellings; Landscaping and Horticultural Service | 1 per employee plus 1 space for deliveries and 1 space per each company vehicle to be dispatched from site |
| VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT STORAGE | |
| Vehicle Storage | 1 per employee |
| Impound Yard; Towing Facility | 1 per 300 square feet of Floor Area plus 1 per 4,000 square feet of motor vehicle storage area |
| Boat Ramp | 20 per ramp plus spaces as required for associated docks |
| Community Dock; Commercial Dock | 1 per wet slip |
| Marina | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of office area plus 1 per 3 wet slips and 1 per 5 dry stack storage |
| WHOLESALE SALES | |
| Wholesale Sales; Clay or Related Products, Construction Material Wholesaler; Flower, Nursery Stock, or Florists' Supplies Wholesaler; Petroleum Wholesaler | 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining area (over 12,000 square feet) |
| INDUSTRIAL | |
| INDUSTRIAL SERVICES | |
| Laundry, Dry Cleaning, or Carpet Cleaning Plant | 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 washing/drying machines if provided for customer use |
| Photo Finishing Laboratory | 1 per 200 square feet of Floor Area |
| Research and Development Laboratory | 1 per 400 square feet |
| Scrap and Salvage Service | 1 per employee plus 2 per acre |
| MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION | |
| Artisan and Craftsman | 1 per 200 square feet |
| Manufacturing and Production; ; Aircraft Manufacturing and Production, including Related Parts; Chemical Manufacturing and Production; Clay or Related Products, Furniture, Cabinets or Related Products, Toy or Artwork, or Wood Products Manufacturing and Production; Pulp Mill or Paper Mill, Rendering Plant; Slaughter House and Meat Packing; Stone or Shell Products Manufacturing and Production | 1 per 400 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2 employees |
| Microbrewery and Distillery | 1 per employee plus 1 per 100 square feet of tasting room area |
| WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT | |
| Warehouse and Distribution Facility | 1 per 300 square feet office area plus 1 per 600 square feet for 1st 12,000 square feet warehouse/storage area plus 1 per 900 square feet for remaining warehouse/storage area (over 12,000 square feet) |
Container Storage Facility; Grain Terminal and Elevator; Stockpiling of Sand, Gravel, or other Aggregate Materials; Fuel Storage Facility; Storage or Manufacturing of Weapons or Ammunition | 1 per employee |
| Freight Forwarding Facility | 1 per employee plus 1 per company vehicle |
| OTHER USES | |
| RECYCLING SERVICES | |
| Recycling Center | 1 per employee |
| Recycling Collection Facility | 1 per recycle collection container plus 1 per employee |
| RESOURCE EXTRACTION/MINING | |
| Resource Extraction/Mining | None |
| TRANSPORTATION | |
| Aviation; Private Air Strip | 1 per 5 aircraft tie down or storage plus 1 per 4 seats in waiting room areas |
| Railroad Facility | 1 per 2,500 square feet |
| Sightseeing Transportation, Land or Water | 1 per 2 seats of sightseeing vehicle |
| Taxi or Limousine Service | 1 per employee plus one per vehicle that provides service |
| Urban Transit Service | 1 per 100 square feet of public waiting area plus 1 per two employees and 1 per transit vehicle |
| Water Transportation | 1 per two seats of transportation vehicle plus 1 per employee |
| [1] Transit-Oriented Development. If the Affordable and/or Workforce Dwelling Unit: Multi-Family; Triplex; and/or Fourplex Development is located within 1,200 feet walking distance of an approved Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), TriCounty Link, or Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) stop, the number of required parking spaces can be reduced to the following minimums: one space per studio or one-bedroom unit; one space per two-bedroom unit; and one and a half spaces per three-bedroom and larger units, with Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. | |
- B.
(Ord. No. 2317, 10/29/2024)
Effective on: 10/29/2024, as amended
Sec. 9.3.3 Rules for Computation
The phrase "per sf" means that the number of parking spaces is calculated based on the square feet of gross Floor Area devoted to the use, excluding storage or common areas devoted to hallways, stairwells, elevators, bathrooms, mechanical rooms, and other spaces incidental to the principal use, provided.
The phrase "per employee" means that the number of parking spaces is based on the number of full-time employees, part-time equivalent employees, and volunteers on the work shift when the maximum number of employees are present.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.4 Shared Parking
A.
Off-street parking facilities for separate uses may be provided collectively if the total number of Shared Parking spaces is adequate to serve all uses in a Development.
B.
All parking spaces that serve Buildings or uses must be located within 600 feet from the primary entrance of the use served, with the exception of Passive Recreation Area uses (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director) which must be located within 1,000 feet, unless shuttle bus service is provided to a remote parking area. Parking Lot use must be permitted on subject Parcel, pursuant to Table 6.1-1, Use Table.
C.
An Applicant requesting Shared Parking shall submit a Shared Parking plan analysis to the Zoning and Planning Director that that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of Shared Parking. The Shared Parking plan must be approved by the Zoning and Planning Director and made available to the public. It must address, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed Development, the composition of tenants, the anticipated rate of parking turnover, and the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses that will be sharing off-street parking spaces. Approvals will only pertain to the specific uses addressed in the Shared Parking plan. Any change in use(s) will require a new Shared Parking plan.
D.
Shared Parking areas must be connected by a continuous network of sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Pervious surfaces are preferred for pedestrian accesses, provided such accesses are compliant with Sec. 9.3.6, Accessible Parking.
(Ord. No. 2317, 10/29/2024)
Effective on: 10/29/2024, as amended
Sec. 9.3.5 Location
A.
On-Site Parking.
- 1.Except as expressly stated, all required off-street parking spaces must be located on the same Lot as the Principal Use and shall be arranged and laid out so as to ensure that no parked or maneuvering vehicle will encroach upon a sidewalk, public Right-of-Way, or property line. Parking may be designed to cross property lines when accessed by a travelway not dedicated as a Right-of-Way or Easement, as approved by the Zoning and Planning Director. When parking spaces are allowed to cross property lines, a shared access and parking agreement shall be required as described in Sec. 9.3.5.B.4.
- 2.
Parking Lots shall comply with the design standards of this Chapter.
- 3.The area under Buildings that is used for parking is exempt from maximum Building Height calculations, up to one Story, if the area dedicated to parking under the Building equals 51 percent or more of the Building footprint. This applies only to Multi-Family Dwellings and nonresidential Development.
B.
Off-Site Parking. Off-Site Parking is defined as the Required Parking not located on the Parcel which the Principal Use is located. Off-Site Parking is allowed provided it meets the following standards.
- 1.A maximum of 50 percent of the Required Parking spaces may be located off-site, with the exception of Passive Recreation Area uses (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director) for which all Required Parking may be located Off-Site. Required Parking spaces reserved for Persons with disabilities shall comply with the regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- 2.Off-site parking must be located within 600 feet from the primary entrance of the use served, with the exception of Passive Recreation Area uses (as determined by the Zoning and Planning Department Director) which must be located within 1,000 feet, unless shuttle bus service is provided to a remote parking area. Off-site parking spaces may not be separated from the use that it serves by Street Rights-of-Way with a width of 80 feet or more, unless a grade-separated pedestrian walkway, traffic control, or shuttle bus service is provided to the remote parking area.
- 3.Off-site parking areas serving uses located in non-residential Zoning Districts must be located in such non-residential Zoning Districts. Off-site parking areas serving uses located in residential or agricultural Zoning Districts may be located in any Zoning District.
- 4.In the event that an Off-Site Parking area is utilized, a written, recorded agreement is required. An attested copy of such agreement between the owners of record must be submitted to the Zoning and Planning Director for review and approval. Recording of the agreement with the Register of Deeds must take place before issuance of a Zoning Permit, Building Permit, or Certificate of Occupancy for any use to be served by the Off-Site Parking area. An Off-Site Parking agreement may be revoked only if all required off-street parking spaces will be provided in accordance with this Article.
If any of the above standards cannot be met, a Special Exception approval pursuant to Art. 3.6, Special Exceptions, shall be required.
(Ord. No. 2317, 10/29/2024)
Effective on: 10/29/2024, as amended
Sec. 9.3.6 Accessible Parking
All parking shall comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including, but not limited to, the requirements for ADA reserved parking signs and ADA parking markings. A portion of the total number of required off-street parking spaces in each off-street parking area shall be specifically designated, located, and reserved for use by persons with physical disabilities.
- A.Number of Spaces. The minimum number of accessible spaces to be provided shall be a portion of the total number of off-street parking spaces required, as shown in Table 9.3.6, Accessible Parking Schedule. Parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities shall be counted toward fulfilling off-street parking standards.
Table 9.3.6 Accessible Parking Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of: | ||
| Accessible Spaces | Van-Accessible Spaces | Car-Accessible Spaces | |
| 1—25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26—50 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 51—75 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 76—100 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 101—150 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 151—200 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 201—300 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 301—400 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 401—500 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 501—1,000 | 2% of total spaces | 1 out of every 8 accessible spaces | 7 out of every 8 accessible spaces |
| Over 1,000 | 20 + 1 per each 100 spaces over 1,000 | ||
Table 9.3.6 Accessible Parking Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of: | ||
| Accessible Spaces | Van-Accessible Spaces | Car-Accessible Spaces | |
| 1—25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26—50 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 51—75 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 76—100 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 101—150 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 151—200 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 201—300 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 301—400 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 401—500 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 501—1,000 | 2% of total spaces | 1 out of every 8 accessible spaces | 7 out of every 8 accessible spaces |
| Over 1,000 | 20 + 1 per each 100 spaces over 1,000 | ||
Table 9.3.6 Accessible Parking Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of: | ||
| Accessible Spaces | Van-Accessible Spaces | Car-Accessible Spaces | |
| 1—25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26—50 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 51—75 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 76—100 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 101—150 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 151—200 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 201—300 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 301—400 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 401—500 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 501—1,000 | 2% of total spaces | 1 out of every 8 accessible spaces | 7 out of every 8 accessible spaces |
| Over 1,000 | 20 + 1 per each 100 spaces over 1,000 | ||
Table 9.3.6 Accessible Parking Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of: | ||
| Accessible Spaces | Van-Accessible Spaces | Car-Accessible Spaces | |
| 1—25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26—50 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 51—75 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 76—100 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 101—150 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 151—200 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 201—300 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 301—400 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 401—500 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 501—1,000 | 2% of total spaces | 1 out of every 8 accessible spaces | 7 out of every 8 accessible spaces |
| Over 1,000 | 20 + 1 per each 100 spaces over 1,000 | ||
- B.Minimum Dimensions. All parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities shall comply with the regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.3.7 Design
A.
Parking Lot Design. Dead-end Parking Lot layouts that cause or contribute to poor vehicular circulation are prohibited unless determined by the Zoning and Planning Director that all other site configurations and options to comply with the required number of parking spaces have been exhausted.
B.
Dimensional Standards. Drive aisle widths and parking space dimensions shall comply with the standards in Table 9.3.7, Aisle Width and Parking Space Dimensions.
C.
Compact Spaces.
- 1.
Up to 30 percent of parking spaces may be designed for use by cars smaller than full-size cars.
- 2.
Compact spaces must be located in continuous areas and may not be interspersed with spaces designed for full-size cars.
- 3.
Compact spaces must be clearly designed by Pavement marking and labeled as “Compact Cars Only.”
- 4.
Stall dimensions for compact spaces are reduced to 7'-6" X 15.
- 5.
Compact spaces cannot be used as required ADA parking spaces.
- 6.
Compact spaces cannot be used as required Electric Charging Stations.
Table 9.3.7-1 Aisle Width and Parking Space Dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X° | Stall Width (A) | Stall Depth (B) | Aisle Width (C) | Skew Width (D) |
| 60° | 9' 0" | 17' 0" | 17' 0" | 10' 5" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 45° | 9' 0" | 19' 1" | 11'0" | 12'9" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 30° | 9'0" | 16' 10" | 9' 0" | 18' 0" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 0° | 9' 0" | 23' 0" | 12' 0" | -- |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 90° | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 23' to 27' | -- |
| -- | -- | *Two Way | -- | |
| Note: Two-way drive aisles in parking areas shall always require a minimum width of 23 feet. | ||||
Table 9.3.7-1 Aisle Width and Parking Space Dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X° | Stall Width (A) | Stall Depth (B) | Aisle Width (C) | Skew Width (D) |
| 60° | 9' 0" | 17' 0" | 17' 0" | 10' 5" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 45° | 9' 0" | 19' 1" | 11'0" | 12'9" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 30° | 9'0" | 16' 10" | 9' 0" | 18' 0" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 0° | 9' 0" | 23' 0" | 12' 0" | -- |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 90° | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 23' to 27' | -- |
| -- | -- | *Two Way | -- | |
| Note: Two-way drive aisles in parking areas shall always require a minimum width of 23 feet. | ||||
Table 9.3.7-1 Aisle Width and Parking Space Dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X° | Stall Width (A) | Stall Depth (B) | Aisle Width (C) | Skew Width (D) |
| 60° | 9' 0" | 17' 0" | 17' 0" | 10' 5" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 45° | 9' 0" | 19' 1" | 11'0" | 12'9" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 30° | 9'0" | 16' 10" | 9' 0" | 18' 0" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 0° | 9' 0" | 23' 0" | 12' 0" | -- |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 90° | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 23' to 27' | -- |
| -- | -- | *Two Way | -- | |
| Note: Two-way drive aisles in parking areas shall always require a minimum width of 23 feet. | ||||
Table 9.3.7-1 Aisle Width and Parking Space Dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X° | Stall Width (A) | Stall Depth (B) | Aisle Width (C) | Skew Width (D) |
| 60° | 9' 0" | 17' 0" | 17' 0" | 10' 5" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 45° | 9' 0" | 19' 1" | 11'0" | 12'9" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 30° | 9'0" | 16' 10" | 9' 0" | 18' 0" |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 0° | 9' 0" | 23' 0" | 12' 0" | -- |
| -- | -- | *One Way | -- | |
| 90° | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 23' to 27' | -- |
| -- | -- | *Two Way | -- | |
| Note: Two-way drive aisles in parking areas shall always require a minimum width of 23 feet. | ||||
Figure 9.3.7 Design Illustration |
|
- C.Landscaping. See Article 9.4, Landscaping, Screening, and Buffering.
- D.Markings and Surface Treatment.
- 1.
ADA reserved parking signs and ADA parking markings shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- 2.Each parking space must be identified by surface markings at least four inches in width, which must be visible at all times. Such markings shall be arranged to provide for orderly and safe loading, unloading, parking, maneuvering, queuing, and storage of vehicles.
- a.No more than 70 percent of all developable land within Parcels may be impervious, unless approved by the Zoning and Planning Director.
- b.30 percent of parking spaces must have a pervious surface.
- 3.One-way and two-way ingress and egress driveways shall be marked by directional arrows.
- 4.Unpaved Parking Areas.
- a.All parking spaces must have a minimum four-inch Curb stop to delineate the location of each space and to prevent Encroachment onto adjoining properties, Rights-of-Way, or landscaped or pervious areas.
- b.All Parking Lots must have an all-weather surface, such as gravel, slag, or another approved pervious surface, excluding asphalt shingles. Ingress and egress drives serving unpaved Parking Lots accessed from a Paved Street must be Paved from the edge of the Street Pavement for a minimum distance of 20 feet into the Subject Property.
- c.
For surfaces that cannot be marked with directional arrows, directional signage is required to mark one-way ingress and egress driveways.
- E.Access.
- 1.Required Parking spaces shall not have direct access to a Street or highway, nor may they be configured in a way that requires backing into or otherwise re-entering a Street or highway. Access to Required Parking spaces shall be provided by on-site ingress and egress drive. Access drives shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and have an all-weather surface.
- 2.Curb Cuts for ingress and egress drives may not be wider than 30 feet; however, ingress and egress that is separated by a median may be expanded to a maximum width of 60 feet, provided medians shall be a minimum of five feet width and fifteen feet in length. Where not specifically prohibited by the agency responsible for the maintenance of the intersecting Right-of-Way, a planted median shall be required.
- 3.Curb cuts for ingress and egress drives are allowed in accordance with Table 9.3.7-2, Number of Ingress/Egress Drives:
Table 9.3.7-2 Number of Ingress/Egress Drives | |
|---|---|
| LENGTH OF PROPERTY FRONTAGE | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRIVES |
| 250 feet or less | 1[1] |
| 251 feet to 1,500 feet | 2 |
| 1,500 feet or more | 3 |
Table Notes:
| |
Table 9.3.7-2 Number of Ingress/Egress Drives | |
|---|---|
| LENGTH OF PROPERTY FRONTAGE | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRIVES |
| 250 feet or less | 1[1] |
| 251 feet to 1,500 feet | 2 |
| 1,500 feet or more | 3 |
Table Notes:
| |
Table 9.3.7-2 Number of Ingress/Egress Drives | |
|---|---|
| LENGTH OF PROPERTY FRONTAGE | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRIVES |
| 250 feet or less | 1[1] |
| 251 feet to 1,500 feet | 2 |
| 1,500 feet or more | 3 |
Table Notes:
| |
Table 9.3.7-2 Number of Ingress/Egress Drives | |
|---|---|
| LENGTH OF PROPERTY FRONTAGE | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRIVES |
| 250 feet or less | 1[1] |
| 251 feet to 1,500 feet | 2 |
| 1,500 feet or more | 3 |
Table Notes:
| |
- 4.Ingress and egress drives shall be located at least 100 feet from the edge of Right-of-Way of any Street intersection. If the subject Lot has less than 100 feet of Frontage and is not within a common Development with other points of access, the Zoning and Planning Director may alter this requirement by the minimum necessary to provide reasonable access. Ingress or egress drives other than those designated as entrance or exit drives are prohibited.
- 5.Access to Dwelling Units shall comply with the International Fire Code, as adopted by County Council.
- 6.
A pair of one-way drives must be separated by at least 100 feet and must comply with the vision clearance requirements contained in Art. 9.7, Vision Clearance.
7. Stop signs and stop bars shall be installed as required by the Director of the Zoning and Planning Department and Director of the Public Works Department.
8. Safety Services may be allowed additional curb cuts up to 60 feet in width and without a median, as approved by the Zoning and Planning Director and the agency responsible for the maintenance of the intersecting Right-of-Way, to provide for ingress and egress of emergency vehicles from their staging area.
9. For properties within the Urban/Suburban Area, the Directors of the Zoning and Planning and Public Works Departments may require Rights-of-Way that provide access to be paved in compliance with Appendix A of this Ordinance.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.3.8 Use and Maintenance
- Off-street parking areas shall be used solely for parking licensed, Motor Vehicles in operating condition.
- Spaces may not be used for the display of goods for sale or lease, Motor Vehicle repair or service work of any kind, display of signs, or for long-term storage of vehicles, boats, motor homes, campers, Manufactured Housing Units, or Building materials.
Off-street driveways, parking surfaces, drive aisles, and traffic control devices shall be kept in good condition and parking space lines and Pavement markings shall be kept clearly visible at all times.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.9 Vehicle Stacking
A.
Minimum Number of Spaces. Off-street stacking spaces shall be provided as shown in Table 9.3.9, Vehicle Stacking Requirements.
Table 9.3.9, Vehicle Stacking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity Type | Minimum Spaces | Measured From |
| Bank teller lane | 3 | Teller Window |
| Automated teller machine | 2 | ATM |
| Restaurant drive-through | 5 | Order Box |
| Restaurant drive-through | 4 | Order Box to Pick-Up Window |
| Restaurant, drive-through | 4 | Pick-Up Window, if no Order Box exists |
| Car wash stall, automatic | 4 | Entrance |
| Car wash stall, self-service | 3 | Entrance |
| Dry Clean Service | 3 | Pick up Window |
| Gasoline pump island | 2 | Pump Island |
| Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 | Service Bay/Space |
| Other | Determined by Zoning and Planning Director | |
Table 9.3.9, Vehicle Stacking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity Type | Minimum Spaces | Measured From |
| Bank teller lane | 3 | Teller Window |
| Automated teller machine | 2 | ATM |
| Restaurant drive-through | 5 | Order Box |
| Restaurant drive-through | 4 | Order Box to Pick-Up Window |
| Restaurant, drive-through | 4 | Pick-Up Window, if no Order Box exists |
| Car wash stall, automatic | 4 | Entrance |
| Car wash stall, self-service | 3 | Entrance |
| Dry Clean Service | 3 | Pick up Window |
| Gasoline pump island | 2 | Pump Island |
| Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 | Service Bay/Space |
| Other | Determined by Zoning and Planning Director | |
Table 9.3.9, Vehicle Stacking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity Type | Minimum Spaces | Measured From |
| Bank teller lane | 3 | Teller Window |
| Automated teller machine | 2 | ATM |
| Restaurant drive-through | 5 | Order Box |
| Restaurant drive-through | 4 | Order Box to Pick-Up Window |
| Restaurant, drive-through | 4 | Pick-Up Window, if no Order Box exists |
| Car wash stall, automatic | 4 | Entrance |
| Car wash stall, self-service | 3 | Entrance |
| Dry Clean Service | 3 | Pick up Window |
| Gasoline pump island | 2 | Pump Island |
| Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 | Service Bay/Space |
| Other | Determined by Zoning and Planning Director | |
Table 9.3.9, Vehicle Stacking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity Type | Minimum Spaces | Measured From |
| Bank teller lane | 3 | Teller Window |
| Automated teller machine | 2 | ATM |
| Restaurant drive-through | 5 | Order Box |
| Restaurant drive-through | 4 | Order Box to Pick-Up Window |
| Restaurant, drive-through | 4 | Pick-Up Window, if no Order Box exists |
| Car wash stall, automatic | 4 | Entrance |
| Car wash stall, self-service | 3 | Entrance |
| Dry Clean Service | 3 | Pick up Window |
| Gasoline pump island | 2 | Pump Island |
| Vehicle Repair or Service | 2 | Service Bay/Space |
| Other | Determined by Zoning and Planning Director | |
- B.Design and Layout. Required stacking spaces are subject to the following design and layout standards:
- 1.Spaces must be a minimum of nine feet by 18 feet.
- 2.Spaces may not impede on- or off-site traffic movements or maneuvering into or out of parking spaces.
- 3.Spaces must be separated from other internal driveways by directional markings for traffic movement and safety.
- 4.The Zoning and Planning Director may require pick-up and drop-off loop drives with sufficient vehicle stacking lanes to prevent vehicle backups into internal travel lanes and Parking Lots for school, adult and child day care facility, public assembly, and conference facility uses.
- 5.
Stacking lanes shall be designed with an abutting 12-foot-wide bypass lane.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.3.10 Off-Street Loading
- Size of Space. Each off-street loading space shall be of a size commensurate with the Buildings to be accommodated. In no case shall required off-street loading spaces encroach upon off-street parking spaces required under this Article.
- Location. All required off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same Lot as the Building which they are intended to serve.
- Ingress and Egress. Off-street loading drives shall be located at least 25 feet from any Street intersection.
- Loading Spaces Adjacent to Sidewalks. Where a loading space is adjacent to a public sidewalk or other public pedestrian way, it shall be so located, arranged, and improved with Curbs or other barriers as to provide adequate protection for pedestrians.
- Maneuvering Areas. All off-street loading spaces shall be provided with adequate off-street maneuvering areas.
- Buffering and Screening. All off-street loading spaces shall be landscaped, screened, and buffered in compliance with Article 9.4, Landscaping, Screening, and Buffering.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.11 Pedestrian Ways
- Be provided in all non-residential Development and Major Subdivisions within the Urban and Suburban Areas of the County; and
- Link surrounding Roadways with Building entrances and between the proposed Development and uses on adjoining Lots.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.12 Shared Access
Parcels involved in shared access agreements shall be allowed an increase in Impervious Surface or Building Coverage, as applicable, as shown below, subject to approval by the Zoning and Planning Director, unless otherwise stated in this Ordinance:
- Duplex, Single-Family Attached, Triplex, Quadplex, and Multi-Family Development are allowed a maximum Impervious Surface Coverage of 60 percent of the Lot, or as allowed by the current edition of the Charleston County Stormwater Manual;
- Single-Family Detached Dwelling Units on Parcels less than 30,000 square feet in size are allowed a maximum Impervious Surface Coverage of up to 50 percent of the Lot, or as allowed by the current edition of the Charleston County Stormwater Manual; and
- Single-Family Detached Dwelling Units on Parcel 30,000 square feet and larger are allowed a maximum Building Coverage of 40 percent of Lot.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.3.13 Bicycle Parking
1.
In the Urban/Suburban Area, one bicycle parking space shall be required per every 10 off-street Required Parking spaces, rounding bicycle parking spaces up when the number is not a of multiple of 10. (six automobile parking spots required = one bicycle parking space; 12 automobile parking spots required = two bicycle parking spaces).
2.
Required bicycle parking must meet the following standards:
- a.Bicycle parking must be:
- 1.
- 2.At the same Grade as the sidewalk or at a location that can be reached by an accessible route; and
- 3.
- b.Bicycle parking must meet the following standards:
- 1.Where required bicycle parking is provided in lockers, the lockers must be securely anchored.
- 2.Required bicycle parking may be provided in floor, wall, or ceiling racks. Where required bicycle parking is provided in racks, the racks must meet the following standards:
- a.The bicycle frame and one wheel can be locked to the rack with
- b.a high security, U-shaped shackle lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle;
- c.A space 2 feet by 6 feet must be provided for each required bicycle parking space, so that a bicycle six feet long can be securely held with its frame supported so that the bicycle cannot be pushed or fall in a manner that will damage the wheels or components;
- d.The rack must be securely anchored and coated in a material that will not damage the bicycle;
- e.Each required bicycle parking space must be accessible without moving another bicycle; and
- f.There must be an aisle at least five feet wide in front and behind all required bicycle parking to allow room for bicycle maneuvering. Where the bicycle parking is adjacent to a sidewalk, the maneuvering area may extend into the Right-of-Way.
Effective on: 12/21/2023, as amended
Sec. 9.4.1 Applicability
Unless expressly exempted, the landscaping, screening and buffering standards of this Article shall apply to all new Development with the exception of Single-Family Detached Dwelling Units, Manufactured Housing Units not located in Manufactured Housing Parks, and all new major Roadways that serve Residential Major Subdivisions. Minor Subdivisions may be required to provide landscaping, screening or buffering on major Roadways when the Zoning and Planning Director determines that such landscaping, screening or buffering is necessary to ensure that the purposes of this Ordinance are met. When modifications or Additions are being made to an existing Building or site, the standards of this Article shall apply to those portions of the subject Parcel that are directly affected by the proposed improvements, as determined by the Zoning and Planning Director, provided that when modifications or Additions are proposed that would increase the number of parking spaces, the area of vehicular use areas, or gross Floor Area of buildings by more than 25 percent (above existing), the entire Parcel shall be brought into compliance with all applicable standards of this Article. Before calculating the percentage of area for redevelopment and improvement, any proposed demolition of Structures and parking is subtracted from the existing gross Floor Area of Buildings and number of parking spaces.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.4.2 Exhibits
Drawings included as exhibits at the end of this Chapter are meant to complement the language of the Ordinance. In the event of a conflict with the text of the Ordinance, the text shall apply.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.4.3 Parking, Loading, and Vehicular Use Area Landscaping
A.
Parking, Loading and Vehicular Use Area Perimeters.
- 1.Required. Unless otherwise expressly stated, perimeter landscaping shall be required around the outer perimeter of all off-street surface parking, loading, and vehicular use areas.
- 2.Exemptions.
- a.Parking areas for the exclusive use of Single-Family Detached Dwelling Units or agricultural uses where there are no on-site customers and less than 10 employees are exempt from these requirements.
- b.
- 3.Standards.
- a.A perimeter landscape area at least eight feet in depth shall be provided at the perimeter of all off-street parking, loading, and vehicular use areas, except where permitted driveway openings are to be provided. Where drainage or other utility Easements exist along property lines, the perimeter landscape area shall be located adjacent to the Easement. No buffer plantings will be allowed within any Easement of record, without written approval of the Easement holder.
- b.Required perimeter landscape areas shall be planted as follows:
- 1.One Canopy Tree shall be provided for each 50 linear feet along the perimeter of all parking, loading, or vehicular use areas. These Trees may be used to satisfy the interior Parking Lot landscaping requirements outlined below.
- 2.
- 3.All portions of the perimeter landscape area not planted with Shrubs or Trees or covered by a Wall or Fence barrier shall be planted in grass or wood-based mulch and inorganic Ground Cover, including rock and wood chips; and
- 4.Parked vehicles may overhang a landscaped area provided curbing or wheel stops are installed to prevent damage to any plants within the required perimeter landscape area. Landscaping, Walls, Fences, or earth Berms will be so located as to prevent their damage and/or destruction by overhanging vehicles.
B.
Interior Areas. The following interior Parking Lot landscaping requirements apply to all Parking Lots except those exclusively serving single-family residential or agricultural uses.
- 1.Each single- or double-loaded Parking Lot bay must terminate with a Tree island. A minimum of one landscape island shall be provided and evenly disbursed for maximum canopy coverage for each 10 parking spaces within an off-street parking area. Required landscape islands shall have a minimum of 162 square feet (minimum nine feet x 18 feet) or 324 square feet (minimum 9 feet x 36 feet).
- 2.Each required landscaping island shall contain at least one Canopy Tree per each 162 square feet. Canopy Trees in these islands must be planted in line with the parking stripes (between vehicles) and may be used to satisfy the Parking Lot Tree requirements, subject to all Parking Lot bays terminating with a Tree island. (See Figure 9.4.3, Parking Lot Landscape Requirements)
- 3.All Parking Lot islands shall be landscaped with a combination of mulch and/or Ground Cover. Pavers, Pavement, and similar hard surfacing shall not be permitted within a Parking Lot island.
- 4.Curbs, wheel stops, or other protective barriers shall be installed around all required landscape islands, as approved by the Zoning and Planning Director. Protective barriers, such as Curbs, wheel stops or other edging material, must complement on-site drainage patterns. This may require utilizing Curb Cuts, open Fencing, and appropriate placement of Berms.
- 5.Landscaping provided to meet the standards of Sec. 9.4.4, Landscape Buffers, shall not satisfy the interior Parking Lot landscaping requirements. Canopy Trees planted to meet the Landscape Buffer requirements may be counted toward the interior Parking Lot landscaping requirements provided the buffer is immediately adjacent to the Parking Lot perimeter.
Figure 9.4.3, Parking Lot Landscape Requirements |
| |
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.4.4 Landscape Buffers
A.
Right-of-Way Buffers.
- 1.Applicability. Right-of-Way buffers shall be required adjacent to road Rights-of-Way and ingress/egress Easements for all uses except for agricultural and Residential Uses existing on or prior to November 20, 2001. Minor Subdivisions may not have to comply with the requirements of this Section if the Zoning and Planning Director determines that compliance is not necessary to satisfy the purposes of this Ordinance.
- 2.
- 3.Development within Buffer Areas.
- a.No Development, storage, or display may occur within required buffer areas except for sidewalks and permitted drives and Signs;
- b.
All buffer areas shall accommodate the required Plant materials;
- c.
Drainage swales and stormwater Detention ponds may be placed in the buffer only when Protected Trees and Grand Trees are not endangered and when they meander through the buffer in a natural manner; and
- d.
Stormwater ponds and swales may not occupy more than 25 percent of the buffer depth.
| Table 9.4.4-1, Buffer Types by Roadway | |||
| Abbapoola Road | G | Main Road (Limehouse Bridge to Maybank Hwy.) | I |
| Ashley Hall Road | B | Main Road Corridor Overlay Zoning District | [3] |
| Hwy. 61/Ashley River Road (Saint Andrews Boulevard to Sam Rittenberg Boulevard) | B | Main Road (Bees Ferry Road to Limehouse Bridge) | G |
| Hwy. 61/Ashley River Road (Mark Clark Expressway to Church Creek) | E | Manse Road | G |
| Hwy. 61/Ashley River Road (Church Creek to Muirfield Parkway/MacLaura Hall Ave.) [1] | I | Mark Clark Expressway | I |
| Hwy. 61/Ashley River Road (Muirfield Parkway/ MacLaura Hall Avenue intersection to Charleston County Line) [1] | J | Mary Ann Point Road | E |
| Bears Bluff Road | I | Mathis Ferry Road [1] | G |
| Bees Ferry Road | G | Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District [Johns Island] | [2] |
| Belvedere Road | G | Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District [James Island] | [4] |
| Betsy Kerrison Parkway [1] | I | Maybank Highway (Main Road to Rockville) | I |
| Bohicket Road [1] | I | Meeting Street | B |
| Botany Bay Road [1] | I | Murraywood Road | G |
| Brownswood Road | G | Old Georgetown Road | G |
| Cane Slash Road | G | Liberia Road | G |
| Chisolm Road | G | Old Georgetown Road in the "Loop" area (designated on the Mount Pleasant Overlay map) | B |
| Chuck Dawley Boulevard | B | Old Jacksonboro Road | G |
| Coleman Boulevard | B | Old Pond Road | G |
| Doar Road | G | Old Towne Road | B |
| Dorchester Road | A | Orange Grove Road | B |
| Eddingsville Beach Road | G | Orleans Road | B |
| Edenvale Road | G | Parkers Ferry Road | G |
| Fort Johnson Road [1] | E | Patton Avenue/Fickling Hill Road | G |
| Hamlin Road | E | Peters Point Road | G |
| Harborview Road | B | Pine Landing Road | G |
| Highway 162 | G | Plow Ground Road | G |
| Highway 165 | G | Raccoon Island Road | G |
Highway 17 (Hwy. 41 to County Line) | I | Rifle Range Road | E |
| Highway 17 (east of Isle of Palms Connector to Hwy. 41, not including Old Georgetown Hwy "Loop" Area) | G | River Road [1] | I |
| Highway 17 in the Old Georgetown Road "Loop" area (as designated on the Mount Pleasant Overlay map) | B | Riverland Drive [1] | G |
| Highway 17 (west of Isle of Palms Connector including bypass) | B | Rivers Avenue | B |
| Highway 174 (Highway 164 to Edisto Beach) [1] | I | Rutledge Road | G |
| Highway 174 (Highway 17 to Highway 164) | E | Saint Andrews Boulevard | B |
| Highway 41 | G | Savannah Highway [Bees Ferry Rd. to County Line] otherwise C | E |
| Highway 45 | G | Seewee Road | G |
| Humbert Road | E | South Santee Road | G |
| Hyde Park Road | G | Steamboat Landing Road (Jenkins Hill to Steamboat Creek) | G |
| James Island Bridge/Highway 61 Connector | C | Tibwin Road | G |
| James Island Expressway | G | Toogoodoo Road | G |
| Liberia Road | G | Venning Road | E |
| Long Point Road (SPA Wando Terminal to I-526) | B | Wappoo Road | B |
| Long Point Road (Outside of MP-O District) [1] | G | Wescott Road | G |
| Magwood Road | E | Willtown Road | G |
[1] Denotes Scenic Road designation that shall require protection under the provisions of this Ordinance of all Trees 6 inches or greater in Diameter Breast Height (DBH) which are located within Rights-of-Way. [3] Buffer type as described in the Main Road Corridor Overlay District. [4] Buffer type as described in the James Island Maybank Highway Corridor Overlay Zoning District. | |||
4. Buffer Depth and Planting Standards. (See Table 9.4.4-3)
- 5.The Zoning and Planning Director is authorized to reduce the depth of a required Right-of-Way buffer as follows:
- a.A required Right-of-Way buffer not within an Overlay Zoning District may be reduced by up to one-third its depth when the following circumstance exist:
- 1.
- 2.
- b.
A required Right-of-Way buffer of 35 feet or less located within the Urban/Suburban Area defined by the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and not within an Overlay Zoning District may be reduced as follows:
- 1.
When no parking or vehicular use area is located between the building and the Right-of-Way, the required buffer may be reduced to no less than eight feet (Type A land use buffer) provided the site layout and building elevations meet all applicable sections of Article 9.5, Architectural and Landscape Design Standards.
- 2.
When no more than 10 parking spaces are located between the Building and the Right-of-Way the required buffer may be reduced to no less than 15 feet (Type B buffer) provided the site layout and Building elevations meet all applicable sections of Article 9.5, Architectural and Landscape Design Standards.
- 3.
Buffers required on Parcels that are part of redevelopment that preserves existing Structures may be reduced up to a depth no less than 10 feet (Type A land use buffer) in order to meet the parking and Tree preservation requirements of this Ordinance.
- 4.Buffers are not required along newly created internal Rights-of-Way and ingress/egress Easements on Parcels containing exclusively Duplex, Triplex, Fourplex, or Single Family Attached Dwellings.
- c.
The Zoning and Planning Director may require additional site improvements., including but not limited to, enhanced Building architecture and materials and/or increased plant material sizes and density when a buffer reduction is granted.
- D.Land Use Buffers.
- 1.Applicability. Land use buffers shall be provided in accordance with the standards of this Section. In the case of conflict between the land use buffer requirements of this section and those contained in CHAPTER 6, Use Regulations, of this Ordinance, the land use buffer requirements contained in CHAPTER 6, Use Regulations, shall govern.
- 2.
- 3.The Zoning and Planning Director is authorized to modify or waive the buffer or landscape planting requirements and may require that additional plant material be added within remaining buffers or elsewhere on the site, as described below:
- a.When buffers will not serve any useful purpose due to the location of the following as determined by the Zoning and Planning Director: fences, walls, berms, or landscaping of at least equivalent height, opacity, and maintenance; uses; vehicles; buildings; structures; or storage; parking; loading; display or service areas; or
- b.
The Zoning and Planning Director is authorized to allow a one-third reduction of required buffers, if all required buffers would exceed 25 percent of the site proposed for Development.
- 4.Determination of Required Buffers. The following procedure shall be used in determining which of the buffer types in Table 9.4.4-2, Land Use Buffers, apply:
- a.Determine the type of proposed use for the site being developed. (Column 1);
- b.
Determine the residential use type (if residential) or the Zoning District that exists on the adjacent Parcel. This is the "Adjacent Site's Use or Zoning";
- c.
- d.
Lastly, refer to Table 9.4.4-3, Buffer Depth and Landscaping Standards, for the applicable buffer type.
- 5.Land Use Buffer Table. Land use buffers are required along Side and Rear Yards in accordance with the requirements of the following table:
| Table 9.4.4-2, Land Use Buffers | |||||||||
| Proposed Use | Use or Zoning of Adjacent Site | ||||||||
| Residential Type | Civic/Institutional | Commercial Type | Industrial Type | Agricultural | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Agricultural | B | B | B | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Residential Type 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Residential Type 2 | A | - | A | B | B | C | E | F | B |
| Residential Type 3 | B | A | - | A | B | C | E | F | B |
| Civic/Institutional | B | B | A | - | B | C | D | E | B |
| Commercial Type 1 | B | B | B | A | - | C | D | E | B |
| Commercial Type 2 | D | D | C | D | - | - | D | D | D |
| Industrial Type 1 | H | H | H | F | E | B | - | A | G |
| Industrial Type 2 | J | J | J | J | G | B | A | - | I |
General Notes: Residential Use Types: Type 1 = Single family Detached and undeveloped Residential Lots; Type 2 = Duplex and Single family Attached; Type 3 = Triplexes, Fourplexes, and Multi-Family and all other residential use types, including Manufactured Housing Parks Commercial Use Types: Type 1 = Any commercial use allowed by right in an RO, GO, or NC district and undeveloped Commercial Lots; Type 2 = all other commercial uses Industrial Use Types: Type 1 = Any industrial or commercial use that is first allowed in an industrial (IN) Zoning District and undeveloped Industrial Lots; Type 2 = Waste-Related uses and Recycling Centers. | |||||||||
- 6.Buffer Depth and Landscaping Standards.
| Table 9.4.4-3, Buffer Depth and Landscaping Standards | ||||||||||
| Standard | Buffer Type | |||||||||
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | |
| MINIMUM BUFFER DEPTH (feet from property line) [1] | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 35 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 75 | 100 |
| MINIMUM LAND USE BUFFER LANDSCAPING (Plants per 100 linear feet) [2] [3] | ||||||||||
| Canopy Trees [4] | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| Understory Trees (at least 50 percent evergreen) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Shrubs | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 75 |
TABLE NOTES: 1. Buffers may be traversed by permitted driveways and pedestrian ways. 2. The retention of natural buffers is required along all road or street Rights-of-Way of Buffer Type C designation or greater. The Zoning and Planning Director is authorized to waive or modify the minimum buffer planting requirements when an undisturbed natural buffer exists that is the same depth and amount of plant material as that which is required. 3. Bradford Pears cannot be used to fulfill any of the Tree requirements of this Ordinance. Any exotic species proposed by a designer are subject to approval by the Zoning and Planning Director. 4. Palmetto Trees may be substituted to fulfill the Canopy Tree requirements. These Trees are to be planted at a ratio of three Palmetto Trees for each Canopy Tree and are to be planted in groupings of three. GENERAL NOTES: 1. The Zoning and Planning Director shall be authorized to require the installation of Berms within required buffers where deemed necessary to protect the visual quality of a road corridor or ensure land use compatibility. 2. All Trees with a Diameter Breast Height (DBH) of eight inches or greater within buffers shall be preserved. | ||||||||||
- C.General.
- 1.Location of Buffers. Buffers shall be located along the perimeter of a Lot or Parcel and shall extend to the boundary of the Lot or Parcel. They shall not be located on any portion of public Right-of-Way. Where drainage or other utility Easements exist along property lines, required Landscape Buffers shall be located adjacent to the Easement and may be reduced in width by the width of the Easement, but in no case shall the buffer width be less than 10 feet and shall be located adjacent to the Easement. Required buffers shall be noted on all Plats, plans and permit requests submitted for review and approval under this Ordinance.
- 2.Plant Material within Buffers. Plant material shall be selected and spaced properly to allow the Plants to thrive considering site specific conditions. Plant materials located adjacent to public Drainage Easements and Right-of-Ways shall be selected and placed so as not to impede access or maintenance, including low-lying lateral branches. Additionally, plant material within required buffers that contain Utility Easements shall be selected and located to minimize pruning for future maintenance and clearance of such Utilities. All selections are subject to the review and approval of the Zoning and Planning Director and may also require modifications (substitutions and relocation) of plant materials on proposed landscape plans when necessary to assure access and ease of maintenance to any Easements or Rights-of-Way and to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.
- 3.Use of Buffers. The Zoning and Planning Director is authorized to allow On-Premises Signs, Fences, Walls, Berms, mailboxes, access to community Boat Ramps, permitted driveways, and sidewalks within required buffers. Other improvements may be allowed within buffers if the Zoning and Planning Director determines that such improvements will not detract from the intended purpose and function of the buffer or have any adverse effect on adjacent property.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.4.5 Landscape Plans
Landscape and planting plans submitted to meet the requirements of this Article shall be drawn to the same scale as the Site Plan. Trees and Shrubs shall be depicted at maturity. Landscape plans shall be prepared by a licensed, registered Landscape Architect whenever the area of land disturbance or Development activity exceeds one acre or when the total area of proposed Building footprint exceeds 5,000 square feet. For all other projects, use of a licensed registered Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer familiar with the growth habits and characteristics of plant material available in the Charleston area is recommended.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.4.6 Landscape Material Standards
A.
Plant Materials.
- 1.Existing Plant Materials. Utilization of vegetation and Plant materials that exist on a Parcel prior to its Development may be used to satisfy the landscaping standards, provided they meet the size and locational requirements of this Article, is strongly encouraged.
- 2.Size. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all Plant materials used to satisfy the requirements of this Ordinance shall meet the following minimum size standards:
| Table 9.4.6, Plant Material Size | |
|---|---|
| PLANT TYPE | MINIMUM SIZE |
| Canopy Tree | 2 1/2 inches caliper and 12 feet in height |
| Understory/Ornamental Tree | Eight feet (height) |
| Evergreen/Conifer Tree | Five feet (height) |
| Shrubs | Three gallon and 18 inches to 24 inches in height or spread |
| TABLE NOTE: At least 50 percent of the required Understory Trees shall be evergreens. Any Plant material that grows to an ultimate height of less than 18 inches shall be considered Ground Cover and shall not be used to fulfill any of the Shrub requirements of this Ordinance. | |
| Table 9.4.6, Plant Material Size | |
|---|---|
| PLANT TYPE | MINIMUM SIZE |
| Canopy Tree | 2 1/2 inches caliper and 12 feet in height |
| Understory/Ornamental Tree | Eight feet (height) |
| Evergreen/Conifer Tree | Five feet (height) |
| Shrubs | Three gallon and 18 inches to 24 inches in height or spread |
| TABLE NOTE: At least 50 percent of the required Understory Trees shall be evergreens. Any Plant material that grows to an ultimate height of less than 18 inches shall be considered Ground Cover and shall not be used to fulfill any of the Shrub requirements of this Ordinance. | |
| Table 9.4.6, Plant Material Size | |
|---|---|
| PLANT TYPE | MINIMUM SIZE |
| Canopy Tree | 2 1/2 inches caliper and 12 feet in height |
| Understory/Ornamental Tree | Eight feet (height) |
| Evergreen/Conifer Tree | Five feet (height) |
| Shrubs | Three gallon and 18 inches to 24 inches in height or spread |
| TABLE NOTE: At least 50 percent of the required Understory Trees shall be evergreens. Any Plant material that grows to an ultimate height of less than 18 inches shall be considered Ground Cover and shall not be used to fulfill any of the Shrub requirements of this Ordinance. | |
| Table 9.4.6, Plant Material Size | |
|---|---|
| PLANT TYPE | MINIMUM SIZE |
| Canopy Tree | 2 1/2 inches caliper and 12 feet in height |
| Understory/Ornamental Tree | Eight feet (height) |
| Evergreen/Conifer Tree | Five feet (height) |
| Shrubs | Three gallon and 18 inches to 24 inches in height or spread |
| TABLE NOTE: At least 50 percent of the required Understory Trees shall be evergreens. Any Plant material that grows to an ultimate height of less than 18 inches shall be considered Ground Cover and shall not be used to fulfill any of the Shrub requirements of this Ordinance. | |
- 3.Species. Species of Plant material used to satisfy the requirements of this Article shall be indigenous to the Charleston County area or cultivated to survive in this climate. However, the use of indigenous Plants is preferred. No single Plant species shall represent more than 40 percent of the total landscape plantings per plant type, except for projects whose landscape requirements for Canopy Trees are less than 10 Trees.
- 4.All Plants installed to satisfy the requirements of this Section shall meet or exceed the Plant quality standards of the most recent edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen. Plants shall be nursery-grown and either balled-and-burlapped or container-grown.
- 5.Additional Landscape Treatment. All required landscape and buffer areas, including drainageways and detention/retention ponds, not dedicated to Trees, Shrubs or preservation of existing vegetation shall be landscaped with grass, Ground Cover, or another landscape treatment, excluding sand, rock, Pavement, or other impervious surfaces. All grass areas are to be installed using proper and accepted landscape methods to assure germination and erosion control.
- B.Berms and Landscape Structures.
- 1.Fences and Walls. Fences and Walls used as screens shall be at least 95 percent opaque, with a minimum height of six feet. Fences must provide an opening for surface water flow every 20 linear feet.
- 2.Berms. Earthen Berms shall have a minimum height of three feet, with a slope not to exceed 3:1, which may vary depending on the soil type and plant materials used. The toe of any Berm shall be located at least three feet from any Right-of-Way or property line.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.4.7 Installation, Maintenance, and Replacement
- Regular maintenance of all landscaping in good condition and in a way that presents a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. All landscaping shall be maintained free from disease, pests, weeds and litter. This maintenance shall include weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, edging, mulching, or other maintenance, as needed, and in accordance with acceptable horticultural practices, including American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for Tree Care Operations and American Association of Nurserymen Standards;
- The repair or replacement of required landscape Structures (e.g., Fences) to a structurally sound condition;
- The regular maintenance, repair, or replacement of any landscaping required by this Section and shown on the approved site plan; and
- Continuous maintenance of the site as a whole. When replacement of Trees, Plant material, or other landscape features is required, such replacement shall be accomplished within the shorter of one growing season, one year, or such time-frame required by the Zoning and Planning Director.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.5.1 Purpose and Applicability
The purpose of these standards is to promote attractive, well-designed, and sustainable Development that is built to human scale and sensitive to the character of the Lowcountry; to promote and protect the appearance, character, and economic value of new Development; to encourage creativity in new Development (as opposed to homogeneity or "look-alike" projects); and to foster attractive streetscapes and pedestrian environments, while accommodating safe vehicular movement and access.
These standards shall apply to all Developments that are subject to Site Plan Review pursuant to Art. 3.7 of this Ordinance.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.5.2 Architectural Design Guidelines
The intent of the Architectural Design Guidelines is to assure respect for the character, integrity, and quality of the built and natural environments of the county; it is not intended to stifle innovative architecture. The following criteria shall be used in evaluating applications:
- A.General Design.
- 1.Single, large Building masses shall be avoided. Structures with walls of more than 1,500 square feet incorporate fascias, canopies, arcades, Building Setbacks of three feet or more or other multidimensional design features to break up large wall surfaces on their Street-facing elevations. Wall surfaces shall be visually divided by such features into areas of 750 square feet or less. Properties in Industrial Zoning Districts shall be exempt from these standards, except for any Street-Facing Facade.
- 2.All elevations of a Structure shall be in harmony, one with another, in terms of scale, proportion, detail, material, color, and high design quality.
- 3.The side and rear elevations of Buildings shall be as visually attractive as the front elevation, especially where those side or rear elevations are most often viewed by the public. Rooflines and architectural detailing shall present a consistency in quality design. Properties in Industrial Zoning Districts shall be exempt from these standards.
- 4.All Structures within a proposed Development, including gasoline canopies, shall utilize a uniform architectural theme and shall be designed to create a harmonious whole. It is not to be inferred that Buildings must look alike to achieve a harmony of style. Harmony of style can be created through property considerations of scale, proportion, detail, materials, color, site planning, and landscaping.
- 5.The scale of Buildings and Accessory Structures (including canopies) shall be appropriate to the scale of Structures located in the surrounding area. Canopies designed as domineering or overpowering architectural features are strongly discouraged.
- 6.Long, monotonous Facade design, including, but not limited to, those characterized by unrelieved repetition of shape or form, or by unbroken extension of line, shall not be permitted.
- 7.The architectural design and material finish of Buildings, signage, gasoline pump canopies, and other necessary Structures shall be compatible with one another and with adjacent and surrounding Structures where such Structures are substantially in compliance with these requirements.
- 8.Structures that are of symbolic design for reasons of advertising shall not be permitted. A symbol or symbols attached to a Building shall not be allowed unless it is secondary in appearance to the Structure and landscape and is an aesthetic asset to the Building and surrounding area.
- 9.The location and dimension of Wall Signs shall be indicated upon the architectural elevations of proposed Structures and shall maintain compatibility with the architectural features of the Structure.
- B.Building Materials.
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.Mirrored glass with a reflectance greater than 40 percent shall be prohibited from covering more than 40 percent of the exterior walls of any Building.
- 4.Materials shall express their function clearly and honestly and shall not appear as materials which are foreign to the character of the rest of the Building.
- 5.Any Building exterior elevation shall consist of architectural materials that are equal in quality, appearance, and detail to all other exterior elevations of the same Structure. Nothing in this Section shall preclude the use of different materials on different exterior elevations of the same Structure so long as those materials maintain the architectural unity and integrity of the entire Structure.
- 6.Shingles, metal standing seam, tile, or other roofing materials with similar appropriate texture and appearance shall be utilized. Flat roofs will not be discouraged where they are appropriate to the design theme of a Structure.
- C.Building Color.
- 1.Color shades shall be used to unify the Development.
- 2.Color combinations of paints shall be complementary. In no case shall garish colors be permitted. In general, no more than three different colors per Building shall be allowed.
- D.Multiple-Building Developments. Each individual Building within a Development shall feature predominant characteristics including, but not limited to, consistent rooflines, use of compatible proportions in Building mass and outdoor spaces, complementary relationships to the Street, similar window and door patterns, and the use of complementary Building materials in terms of color, shades, and textures. Monotony of identically designed multiple Building projects shall be avoided. Variation of detail, form, and siting shall be used to provide visual interest. The use of different textures, shadow lines and contrasting shapes may also be used to provide visual interest.
- E.Building Orientation.
- 1.Where it is reasonably practical, proposed Buildings shall not impede scenic rural views from the adjacent road, from existing Buildings, or from natural settings.
- 2.
Buildings should be oriented in a manner that minimizes land disturbance and limits impact to the natural features on the site.
- 3.
To the maximum extent feasible, primary Facades and entries should face the adjacent street. Except in Industrial districts, a main entrance shall face the adjacent Street or a connecting walkway with a direct pedestrian connection to the Street limiting crossings through Parking Lots or driveways.
- 4.Buildings shall be oriented so that loading areas shall not face Residential districts or uses, existing Rights-of-Way, or from planned future Rights-of-Way, except for properties within the IN District and for Safety Services. Loading areas may be oriented toward adjoining developed properties which are commercially zoned or toward adjoining properties eligible for future commercial Development if and only if they are screened from view by the use of fencing or Walls which are compatible with the overall architectural scheme of the project.
- 5.All corner Developments shall have Buildings located close to the corner. The majority of the parking shall be located behind the front-most Facades of the Building.
- 6.
Buildings in all Developments shall address the Street with the majority of the parking to the side and rear.
- 7.All Buildings shall be sited so that a direct relationship with the primary street is established. The architecture, landscaping, and Building siting must work in concert to create a unified appearance.
- 8.Buildings shall be sited so that gasoline pump dispensers are located to the side of the Building or located behind the Building(s) so that the Building(s) is between the pumps and the primary Street or Easement Frontage. If located on a Corner Lot, the Building(s) shall be situated in the corner of the Lot at the intersection.
- 9.
The following shall be required for Gasoline Service Stations without convenience stores: A combination of landscaping and architectural Wall at least four feet in height shall be required to screen the gasoline pump dispensers from the Right of Way or Easement.
- F.Mechanical Equipment and Trash Receptacle Screening. Locations of all mechanical equipment and dumpsters shall be shown on all site plans. All mechanical equipment and trash receptacles shall be shielded and screened from public view, Mechanical equipment shall be shielded with Walls, Fencing, or landscaping that entirely screens the equipment. Dumpsters shall be screened with a minimum six-foot opaque Fence or Wall on all four sides and located toward the side or rear of the Principal Structure.
- G.All order boxes, menu stands, pickup windows, and service/teller windows shall be located to the side or rear of Buildings. The majority of required vehicle stacking associated with drive-through services shall be located to the side or rear of Buildings. Any required vehicle stacking located in front of Buildings shall require an architectural wall of at least 30 inches in height to be constructed along the back edge of the Right-of-Way Buffer and span either the frontage of the property or the Building frontage plus 50 feet on each side, whichever is less. For the purpose of this Section, the side or rear shall mean the area behind a projected line running parallel from the front (Street facing) side(s) of the Structure to the side property lines. This concept is depicted in the graphic below:
| Figure 9.5.2, Drive-through Equipment |
 |
- H.Fencing.
- 1.Any proposed Fencing that will be constructed within a Right-of-Way Buffer shall not exceed four feet in height. Chain-link, wire, and barbed wire Fencing are prohibited within Right-of-Way Buffers. An architectural detail and Fence location plan shall be submitted to the Zoning and Planning Director for review and approval for all such Fencing.
- 2.When 10 or more parking spaces are located between the Right-of-Way and front Façade of a Building, an architectural Wall of at least 30 inches shall be required within the Right-of-Way Buffer to further screen the parking.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.5.3 Landscaping Design Guidelines
The purpose and intent of Landscaping Design Guidelines is to reduce the visibility of Development from adjacent properties and streets, moderate climatic effects, minimize impact to existing drainage patterns, minimize noise and glare, and enhance public safety by defining spaces to influence traffic movement. Landscaping shall be used strategically to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and provide transition between neighboring properties. The following criteria shall be used in evaluating applications:
- A.General Design.
- 1.Landscaping within landscape beds that are a minimum of two feet wide shall be required along the foundation of all Buildings, except for points of entry. For Buildings in Industrial Zoning Districts, foundation plantings shall be required only along Facades with Right-of-Way or Easement Frontage. The scale of the proposed landscaping shall be in proportion to the Building.
- 2.Landscaping does not only include Trees and plantings but also Pavement and other impervious surfaces, benches, fountains, exterior lighting fixtures, Fences, and any other item of exterior furniture. All items of the landscape are to be selected not only for their functional value but also for their aesthetic value and must complement the whole.
- 3.All Utility lines in the suburban areas such as electric, telephone, CATV, or other similar lines serving individual sites as well as all Utility lines necessary within the property shall be placed underground. All junction and access boxes shall be screened with appropriate landscaping. All Utility pad fixtures and meters should be shown on the site plan. The necessity for Utility connections, meter boxes, and the like, should be recognized and integrated with the architectural elements of the site plan.
- 4.Ease of pedestrian access between proposed Developments and adjacent Developments shall be a required consideration in the Development of a proposed project's site and circulation plans.
- 5.
At least 10 percent of the site shall be undisturbed open space that is either part of, or contiguous with, the perimeter buffer.
- B.Parking/Drives.
- 1.Parking areas and driveways shall be constructed with material that is appropriate to the comprehensive design scheme of the project and to the intensity of use to which parking areas and driveways will be subject. All-weather pervious surfaces shall be utilized wherever possible.
- 2.
- 3.
- C.Site Lighting. Site lighting shall be from a concealed light source fixture and shall not interfere with the vision of vehicular traffic. A lighting plan with photo-metrics showing the entire site and 10 feet over the property line shall be prepared by a lighting specialist and comply with the following criteria:
- 1.Maximum average foot-candles shall not exceed five-foot candles as depicted on photometric plans with a maximum not to exceed 12 foot candles close to light sources. Maximum foot candles under gasoline canopies and outdoor sales Lots shall not exceed 30 foot candles.
- 2.All exterior lights shall be arranged and installed so that the direct or reflected illumination does not exceed one-half foot candle above the background measured at the Lot Line of any adjoining residential or agricultural Parcel, public Right-of-Way, and OCRM Critical Line Buffer.
- 3.Lighting shall enhance the overall aesthetics of the site.
- 4.Security lighting shall be provided, particularly at pedestrian walkways.
- 5.Lighting shall be integrated with architectural design of the Buildings.
- 6.Light sources (light bulbs) shall be shielded so that the bulb or diode is not visible and to reflect down onto the ground and not out onto the Streets or neighboring property.
- 7.
Lighting in outdoor seating areas shall be screened from adjacent properties and Rights-of-Way.
- 8.
Any site lighting used as striping or graphically around or on a structure shall be considered a Sign.
- 9.
Site lighting for recreational fields is exempt from the requirements of this Section, except for Sec. 9.5.3.C.2.
- 10.
Low-voltage landscape lighting is exempt from the requirements of this Section.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.6.1 Purpose
- Evaluate the impact of site-generated traffic on the quality of traffic flow within a reasonable distance of the Development site;
- Evaluate the impact of site-generated traffic on affected intersections in the vicinity of the Development site;
- Evaluate traffic operations and impacts at site access points under projected Peak Hour traffic volumes;
- Evaluate the impact of the proposed Development on existing residential Subdivision Streets in the vicinity of the site;
- Ensure that site access and other improvements needed to mitigate the traffic impact of the Development meet commonly accepted engineering design standards; and
- Ensure the provision of adequate facilities for pedestrians, transit users, and bicyclists.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.6.2 General
A.
All Traffic Impact Studies shall be signed by a Professional Engineer (PE) registered to work in South Carolina, unless exempted from this requirement by the Public Works Director.
B.
Traffic Impact Studies are required if the proposed Development contains one or more of the following. Traffic Impact Studies may also be required at the discretion of the Zoning and Planning Director.
- 1.100 or more vehicle trips;
- 2.Drive-through service;
- 3.More than 6 fuel dispensing units;
- 4.Existing and/or new non-residential Development that includes more than 10,000 square feet of heated and/or cooled space;
- 5.Five or more acres;
- 6.Restaurants with more than 4,000 square feet of gross Floor Area;
- 7.45 or more Dwelling Units; or
- 8.Resource Extraction uses.
A Traffic Impact Study for a proposed Development may be waived, at the discretion of the Public Works Director on a SCDOT Right-of-Way.
- C.The completion date of any Traffic Impact Study submitted to satisfy the requirements of this Article shall be no more than six months prior to the date the application is submitted to the County.
- D.Development projects shall not be phased or subdivided in order to avoid the requirement to conduct a Traffic Impact Study. The Zoning and Planning Director may consider two or more Developments represented as separate projects to be a single Development for the purposes of Traffic Impact Study. This determination shall consider the following factors, which may indicate a common Development effort:
- 9.Unified ownership or common management of the projects;
- 10.Voluntarily shared infrastructure, or infrastructure that is specifically designed to accommodate both Developments;
- 11.A reasonable closeness in time between the construction of one development and the submission to the County of an application for a subsequent Development;
- 12.A common advertising scheme or promotional plan for the projects; and/or
- 13.Any information provided by the Applicants indicating the Development projects are being phased or subdivided to avoid the requirements of this Article.
- E.
Each study shall reflect the cumulative impacts of the Development, including all existing and planned/future land uses located on both unincorporated and incorporated properties in the study area.
- F.
When a Traffic Impact Study is required, the type and scope of the study shall be determined by the Directors of the Zoning and Planning and Public Works Departments. The Traffic Impact Study elements shall include, but not be limited to:
- 1.
Type of Study. The possible types of report letter reports, full traffic impact analysis reports, and/or special report (e.g., sight distance survey).
- 2.
Study Scope/Definition of Impact Area. The points of access and key streets and intersections that may be affected by development of the subject tract; traffic recorder and turning movement assessment locations; etc.
- 3.
Period of Study. Daily traffic, a.m., p.m. or weekend peak hour, etc.
- 4.
Study Scenarios. Existing conditions; opening year conditions with and without development, and 10 years after opening with and without development; Level of Service/Delay Analysis; Arterial Analysis; existing and planned/future land uses and developments on both incorporated and unincorporated properties; etc.
- 5.
Process. Process for determining trip generation and distribution including, but not limited to: trip generation category, diversion assumptions, and distribution assumptions.
- 6.
Growth Rate Assumption. The rate of growth assumed in background traffic assumptions.
- 7.
Pipeline Development. Developments on both incorporated and unincorporated properties in the impact area that have been approved or are under review.
- 8.
All Traffic Impact Studies shall include an affidavit stating coordination with the SCDOT office, County Public Works Department, and applicable municipalities. Form of affidavit to be provided by the County.
- G.
The Directors of the Zoning & Planning, and Public Works Departments may require that a mutually agreed upon independent consultant be hired by the County to perform required Traffic Impact Studies or to review all or part of a study prepared by the Applicant's consultants. The Directors of the Planning and Public Works Departments are authorized to administer the contracts for such consultants.
- 1.
The Directors of the Zoning and Planning and Public Works Departments shall determine the scope of services to be performed by the independent consultant and receive a cost estimate of such services.
- 2.
The Applicant shall provide an amount equal to the estimate to the Public Works Director who will deposit the amount in an escrow or special account set up for this purpose. Any funds not used for the independent consultant shall be returned to the Applicant in a timely manner without interest.
- 3.
The Directors of the Planning and Public Works Departments may require additional fees for the independent review if the actual cost of the review is more than the estimate/amount deposited by the Applicant, and/or if:
- a.
The Decision-Making Body expands the scope of the required review;
- b.
The Applicant substantially amends the application;
- c.
The application fails to fully describe all anticipated traffic impacts associated with the project;
- d.
Additional meetings involving the consultants are requested by the Applicant;
- e.
The consultant's appearance is requested at Planning Commission or County Council meetings beyond what was initially assumed in the initial estimate; and/or
- f.
The consultant's attendance is required at meetings with regional, state, or federal agencies or boards that were not assumed in the initial estimate.
Effective on: 12/6/2022, as amended
Sec. 9.6.3 Requirements
A Traffic Impact Studies shall be signed by a Professional Engineer (PE) registered to work in South Carolina, unless exempted from this requirement by the Public Works Director. Traffic Impact Studies shall include the following elements:
- All Traffic Impact Studies shall include an affidavit stating coordination with the SCDOT office, County Public Works Department, and applicable municipalities. Form of affidavit to be provided by the County.
- All Traffic Impact Studies for proposed Developments within the Urban/Suburban Area, as defined in the Charleston County Comprehensive Plan, shall assess alternative modes of transportation and provide a Letter of Coordination from CARTA.
- Existing Condition Survey.
Street System Description. The Street system shall be described including geometric features, lane usage, traffic control, signage, sight distances, and adjacent uses and Curb Cuts.
Traffic Volumes. Existing traffic volumes shall be provided for the impact area including both AADT (Average Annual Daily Traffic) and "Design" peak hour volumes. AADT may be derived from current counts of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (if available) and peak hour volumes shall be done from field counts. Data shall be adjusted for daily and seasonal variations. Turning movement counts for the peak hour shall be provided for critical intersections. Peak hour periods shall be as determined at the scoping meeting.
Capacity Analysis. Existing capacity of signalized and unsignalized intersections.
Other. Other items may be required at the discretion of the Zoning and Planning and/or Public Works Directors depending upon the type and scale of the project. These may include, but are not limited to: queue length analysis, pedestrian counts, accident data, traffic speeds (both 50th and 85th percentile), and stopping sight distances.
- Future without Development. Capacity analysis is to be provided for opening year and plus ten-year for key intersections (and Roadway segments where appropriate) without the Development but including any planned/future Developments on both incorporated and unincorporated properties. The analysis shall be based upon the Highway Capacity Manual or other methodologies approved in advance by the Zoning and Planning and/or Public Works Directors.
- Future with Development.
Projections of the daily and peak hour traffic generation of the project shall be made using the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation manual unless the Zoning and Planning and/or Public Works Directors determines that locally derived data will provide more accurate forecasts. Data from similar facilities may be used where the information is not available from the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
The projected trips shall be distributed onto the Road network.
Capacity analysis for opening year and plus ten-year for key intersections (and Roadway segments where appropriate).
Level of Service/delay analysis for intersections and an arterial analysis shall be provided.
Special analysis as may be required to determine warrants for signalization, minimum safe sight distances, gap analysis, turning radius requirements, queue length analysis, turning lane length analysis, Curb Cut locations, or similar requirements.
An evaluation/comparison of the no build condition to the proposed Development condition including mitigation of additional traffic shall also be provided to maintain or improve the existing Level of Service at intersections and corridors within the study area.
- Mitigation Plan. Where the analysis indicates that the proposed Development will create deficiencies in the impact area, the study shall recommend mitigating improvements, including cost estimates.
- The primary objectives of mitigation are to:
Reduce the impact of increased traffic resulting from the proposed Development on the Road network;
Maintain the line of sight at adjacent intersections;
Install traffic signals at intersections if warranted; and
Address safety concerns.
The Developer is responsible for funding and constructing the recommended improvements attributable to the proposed Development. A mitigation plan may propose a cost-sharing agreement with other parties responsible in part for traffic impacts or agencies undertaking Roadway improvement projects included in the Traffic Impact Analysis
The design and construction of improvements shall be in accordance with specifications of the Zoning and Planning and/or Public Works Directors and, where appropriate, the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Where a Review or Decision-Making Body determines that a mitigation plan does not adequately to address the traffic impacts of the project, this may serve as a basis for denial of the Site Plan, preliminary Plat, final Plat, or Planned Development District zoning map amendment request. The Decision-Making Body shall provide to the Applicant, in writing, the reasons for its determination.
- The primary objectives of mitigation are to:
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.6.4 Updates to Approved Traffic Impact Studies
- The Director of the Zoning and Planning Department or Public Works Department may require updates to a previously approved Traffic Impact Study when:
- Construction of the proposed Development does not commence within two years of the date of the Traffic Impact Study;
- The proposed Development is not completed within the timeframe specified in the Traffic Impact Study; or
- The Applicant proposes changes in land use or the scale of Development.
- Updates to a previously approved Traffic Impact Study shall follow the same procedures specified in this Article for a new study.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.7.1 Major Roadways
Corner Lots on major Roadways shall have no Structure or obstruction that obscures travel vision from a height of 30 inches to 10 feet above ground level within a triangular area formed by measuring from the point of intersection of the front and side Lot Lines a distance of 40 feet along the Lot Lines and connecting the points to form a triangle.
Figure 9.7.1-1 Clear Vision Area | |
 | |
Figure 9.7.1-2 Clear Vision Triangle | |
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Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.7.2 Collector Streets
On collector streets, the triangular area formed by measuring from the point of intersection of the front and side Lot Lines is 30 feet. At the intersection of a Collector Street and Major Roadway, the distance along the Lot Line of the Major Roadway is 40 feet. (see Figure 9.7.1-2, Clear Vision Triangle).
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.7.3 Sub-Collector Streets
On sub-collector Streets, the triangular area formed by measuring from the point of intersection of the front and side Lot Lines is 20 feet. At the intersection of a Collector Street or Major Roadway and a Sub-Collector Street, the distances along the Lot Line of the Collector Street and Major Roadway are 20 and 30 feet, respectively. (see Figure 9.7.1-2, Clear Vision Triangle).
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.7.4 Private Drives and Private Lanes
On private driveways of commercial and industrial districts, the triangular area formed by measuring from the point of intersection of the drive edge is 15 feet. At the intersection of a sub-collector or Collector Street or a Major Roadway and a private drive or lane, the distances along the Lot Line of the Sub-Collector and Collector Streets and Major Roadway are 20, 30, and 40 feet, respectively. (see Figure 9.7.1-2, Clear Vision Triangle).
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.7.5 Sight Distance Visibility
Sight distance visibility at all exits and/or intersections must meet required sight distance visibility as outlined in the SCDOT Access and Roadside Management Standards Manual (ARMS). Exceptions to these requirements must be justified by a licensed professional engineer and must be approved by the Director of the Zoning and Planning Department and Director of the Public Works Department.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.8.1 General Provisions
The standards set forth in this Article seek to safeguard life, health, property, general welfare, and traffic safety.
The intent is to permit Signs that are of quality design and are appropriate in size, material, and illumination for the location in which they are being placed.
This Article seeks to enhance the visual environment of the County by discouraging Signs that contribute to visual clutter, such as Off-Premises Signs, oversized Signs, excessive Temporary Signs, flutter Flags, air dancers, and Sign types prohibited by this Article.
- Building and Electrical Code Standards. All permanent Signs must meet the structural and installation standards of the Standard Building Code and electrical standards of the National Electrical Code as enforced by the Charleston County Building Inspection Services.
- Permit Required. No Sign shall be erected unless the Zoning and Planning Director issues a Zoning Permit in accordance with the procedures of this Ordinance, except those exempt from these provisions pursuant to Sec. 9.8.3, Special Signs, and Sec. 9.8.4, Temporary Signs.
- Purpose of Permitting. All permitting and approval processes required by this Article are intended to ensure compliance with this Article and various safety codes, as well as to prevent the loss of time, effort, materials, and investment that might otherwise be invested in an unpermitted Sign.
- Documentation of Signs. Upon request, the owner of any existing Sign shall provide the Charleston County Zoning and Planning Director with evidence that documents the size, location, date of construction, and permitting of all Signs existing on the premises.
Approval of architectural design documents, recorded deed exhibits, or recorded Plats that include Signs on any portion of the Structure and/or premises do not constitute Zoning Permits for or zoning approval of Signs; a separate Zoning Permit must be issued for each Sign.
- Flashing Signs;
- Animated Signs;
- Signs Imitating Traffic Devices (Signal);
- Signs Imitating Traffic Signs;
- Signs Imitating Emergency Services;
- Signs in Marshes;
- Signs in Rights-of-Way;
- Snipe Signs;
- Signs Parked on Vehicles;
Signs placed on, painted on, or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers or other conveyances that are parked on a public Right-of-Way, or on private property so as to be visible from a public Right-of-Way, and where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or business, or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property. Such factors as amount of time parked in one location, vehicle registration, location of parked vehicle in relation to availability of alternative parking spaces on-site and the like may be utilized in making this determination.
This does not prohibit identification signs painted on or affixed to vehicles and trailers, such as small lettering on motor vehicles, where the Sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer.
- Roof Signs; and
- Off-Premises Signs (except Billboards, Shared Signs, and Bona Fide Agricultural Use Signs as defined by this Ordinance).
Signs may be illuminated externally or internally, except as otherwise stated in this Ordinance.
Light sources to illuminate Signs, with the exception of Neon Signs, shall not be visible from any street Right-of-Way or adjacent property.
No illumination-simulating traffic control devices or emergency services shall be allowed.
All Sign illumination must be from a steady, stationary light source that is directed solely at the Sign. No blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating device that have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color shall be used.
Internally illuminated Signs are subject to the following requirements:
Illumination must be static in intensity and color;
Internally illuminated Signs must be constructed with opaque backgrounds so that only letters, numbers, and/or logos are illuminated;
Signs shall not have light-reflecting or mirrored backgrounds or letters; and
All finishes shall be non-reflective.
Externally illuminated Signs are subject to the following requirements:
With the exception of electronic Readerboards, the source of the light must be concealed by opaque or semi-transparent covers or recessed within the lighting fixture, so that the bulb or source of the light is not visible; and
Illumination sources shall be shielded and illuminated Signs shall not be visible from any street Right-of-Way, or cause glare that distracts pedestrians or vehicle drivers, or located/installed so as to create a nuisance for adjacent properties.
- No Sign shall obscure the travel vision from 30 inches to ten feet above ground level in triangular areas formed by measuring from the point of intersection of any Front Lot Line and driveway, a distance of 15 feet along the Front Lot Line and driveway and connecting the points to form a triangle.
- No Sign or Structure shall be erected so as to interfere with the vision of vehicles operated along any highway, Street, Road, or driveway, or at any intersection of any Street, highway, or Road with a railroad track. Signs determined by the Zoning and Planning Director to be in violation shall be removed immediately upon notice.
- Signs shall also comply with the site triangle standards, as illustrated in CHAPTER 9, Development Standards.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.8.2 Freestanding Signs
| TABLE 9.8.2 FREESTANDING ON-PREMISES SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONING DISTRICT | ||||
| Requirement [1] | Agricultural [2] | Residential [2] | Non-Residential [2] | |
| Maximum Area | 10 (32 with Special Exception) sq. ft. | 10 sq. ft. | Bldg. Size (sq. ft.) 0 sq. ft. to 2,499 sq. ft. 2,500 sq. ft. to 24,999 sq. ft. 25,000 sq. ft. to 99,999 sq. ft. 100,000 sq. ft. + | Sign Size = 50 sq. ft. = 100 sq. ft. = 150 sq. ft. = 200 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 12 ft. | 6 ft. | 20 ft. OR Districts: 6 ft. | |
| Minimum Height | None | None | None | |
| Maximum Width (height of sign with face) | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1 (ft.) | |
| Maximum Length | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1(ft.) | |
| Setbacks (Front/Int) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | |
| Max. No. Sign Faces | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | |
| Max. No. Signs | 2 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | |
| ||||
| TABLE 9.8.2 FREESTANDING ON-PREMISES SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONING DISTRICT | ||||
| Requirement [1] | Agricultural [2] | Residential [2] | Non-Residential [2] | |
| Maximum Area | 10 (32 with Special Exception) sq. ft. | 10 sq. ft. | Bldg. Size (sq. ft.) 0 sq. ft. to 2,499 sq. ft. 2,500 sq. ft. to 24,999 sq. ft. 25,000 sq. ft. to 99,999 sq. ft. 100,000 sq. ft. + | Sign Size = 50 sq. ft. = 100 sq. ft. = 150 sq. ft. = 200 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 12 ft. | 6 ft. | 20 ft. OR Districts: 6 ft. | |
| Minimum Height | None | None | None | |
| Maximum Width (height of sign with face) | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1 (ft.) | |
| Maximum Length | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1(ft.) | |
| Setbacks (Front/Int) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | |
| Max. No. Sign Faces | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | |
| Max. No. Signs | 2 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | |
| ||||
| TABLE 9.8.2 FREESTANDING ON-PREMISES SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONING DISTRICT | ||||
| Requirement [1] | Agricultural [2] | Residential [2] | Non-Residential [2] | |
| Maximum Area | 10 (32 with Special Exception) sq. ft. | 10 sq. ft. | Bldg. Size (sq. ft.) 0 sq. ft. to 2,499 sq. ft. 2,500 sq. ft. to 24,999 sq. ft. 25,000 sq. ft. to 99,999 sq. ft. 100,000 sq. ft. + | Sign Size = 50 sq. ft. = 100 sq. ft. = 150 sq. ft. = 200 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 12 ft. | 6 ft. | 20 ft. OR Districts: 6 ft. | |
| Minimum Height | None | None | None | |
| Maximum Width (height of sign with face) | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1 (ft.) | |
| Maximum Length | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1(ft.) | |
| Setbacks (Front/Int) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | |
| Max. No. Sign Faces | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | |
| Max. No. Signs | 2 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | |
| ||||
| TABLE 9.8.2 FREESTANDING ON-PREMISES SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONING DISTRICT | ||||
| Requirement [1] | Agricultural [2] | Residential [2] | Non-Residential [2] | |
| Maximum Area | 10 (32 with Special Exception) sq. ft. | 10 sq. ft. | Bldg. Size (sq. ft.) 0 sq. ft. to 2,499 sq. ft. 2,500 sq. ft. to 24,999 sq. ft. 25,000 sq. ft. to 99,999 sq. ft. 100,000 sq. ft. + | Sign Size = 50 sq. ft. = 100 sq. ft. = 150 sq. ft. = 200 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 12 ft. | 6 ft. | 20 ft. OR Districts: 6 ft. | |
| Minimum Height | None | None | None | |
| Maximum Width (height of sign with face) | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1 (ft.) | |
| Maximum Length | N/A | 5 ft. | Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1(ft.) | |
| Setbacks (Front/Int) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | 5/5 (ft.) | |
| Max. No. Sign Faces | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | 2 per Sign | |
| Max. No. Signs | 2 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | 1 per Major Road Frontage | |
| ||||
- All Pole-Mounted Signs shall have a Pole Cover.
- The predominant exterior Sign materials used for Free-Standing Signs shall complement those found on the principal structure, as reviewed and approved through the Site Plan Review process. Materials, design, and color of the Sign shall be the same or similar to those found on the Principal Structure.
- Signs that are located in Parking Lots, such as Directional Signs, may be internally lit when constructed with routed letters or an opaque background.
- The hanging or attachment of objects is not permitted unless they are shown on the drawings approved for Sign construction and meet all the requirements of this Ordinance.
- Shared Freestanding Signs.
Off-premises shared Freestanding Signs are allowed in the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts for two or more businesses or residential Developments located on separate Parcels.
One Shared Sign is allowed at the location of a jointly shared Curb Cut/entry drive.
Multiple users may display copy on multiple shared Signs; however, a user that participates on a shared Freestanding Sign shall not be allowed to erect a single tenant on-premise Freestanding Sign.
Participating users must either share a property boundary on at least one side or be part of an approved multi-Parcel Development.
The size of a shared Sign face may be one and a half times the size allowed by the accumulated Building square footages of the Structures on the same Lot. Shared Freestanding Signs must meet all other Setback and dimensional standards for Non-Residential Freestanding Signs, including all architectural standards and Overlay District requirements of this Ordinance.
Effective on: 9/10/2017, as amended
Sec. 9.8.3 Special Signs
| TABLE 9.8.3 SPECIAL SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Maximum Area per Sign | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Setback |
| Subdivision/Multi-Family I.D. Signs | 32 square feet | Two per entrance | 12 feet | Five feet |
| Directional | Three square feet | Unlimited | Four feet [1] | N/A |
| Flags | 60 square feet | Three per Zoning Lot | 35 ft. or 15 ft. above highest point of roof | N/A |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Signs | Nine square feet | Two per established business | Three feet | N/A |
[1] If attached to a Wall, the Sign height is limited to the first Story of a Structure. | ||||
| TABLE 9.8.3 SPECIAL SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Maximum Area per Sign | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Setback |
| Subdivision/Multi-Family I.D. Signs | 32 square feet | Two per entrance | 12 feet | Five feet |
| Directional | Three square feet | Unlimited | Four feet [1] | N/A |
| Flags | 60 square feet | Three per Zoning Lot | 35 ft. or 15 ft. above highest point of roof | N/A |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Signs | Nine square feet | Two per established business | Three feet | N/A |
[1] If attached to a Wall, the Sign height is limited to the first Story of a Structure. | ||||
| TABLE 9.8.3 SPECIAL SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Maximum Area per Sign | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Setback |
| Subdivision/Multi-Family I.D. Signs | 32 square feet | Two per entrance | 12 feet | Five feet |
| Directional | Three square feet | Unlimited | Four feet [1] | N/A |
| Flags | 60 square feet | Three per Zoning Lot | 35 ft. or 15 ft. above highest point of roof | N/A |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Signs | Nine square feet | Two per established business | Three feet | N/A |
[1] If attached to a Wall, the Sign height is limited to the first Story of a Structure. | ||||
| TABLE 9.8.3 SPECIAL SIGNS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Maximum Area per Sign | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Setback |
| Subdivision/Multi-Family I.D. Signs | 32 square feet | Two per entrance | 12 feet | Five feet |
| Directional | Three square feet | Unlimited | Four feet [1] | N/A |
| Flags | 60 square feet | Three per Zoning Lot | 35 ft. or 15 ft. above highest point of roof | N/A |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Signs | Nine square feet | Two per established business | Three feet | N/A |
[1] If attached to a Wall, the Sign height is limited to the first Story of a Structure. | ||||
Maximum size, number, location and height of Special Signs shall conform with Table 9.8.3.A, Special Signs, and the following standards:
- Flags Used As Signs.
- A permit shall be required for the installation of all flagpoles.
- Applicants must submit with the permit application a scaled site plan giving the location of all flag poles and complete dimensional and installation engineering data.
- Applicants must provide documentation of minimum clearance from electric, telephone or cable TV lines as certified by the proper Utility prior to issuance of permit or installation of flagpole.
- The American Flag and the Flag of the State of South Carolina are exempt from the provisions for maximum size of Flags and maximum size of flagpoles in Table 9.8.3, Special Signs, of this Chapter.
- Sandwich Boards/Sidewalk Signs. A permit may be issued for up to two Sandwich Board Signs per business if:
- The Sign is located on the property where the business is located.
- The business is not a home occupation.
- The Sign is erected only during the hours of operation of the subject business and must be removed daily after close of business.
- The Sign is not located within any Rights-of-Way or within any pedestrian ways, in a way that would impede or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian use of roads, sidewalks, or seating areas.
- Off-Premises Bona Fide Agricultural Use Signs. Off-Premises Signs advertising products from Bona Fide Agricultural uses, related activities and farm identification may be permitted on properties located in Agricultural or Commercial Zoning Districts, subject to the following requirements:
- A maximum of one Off-Premises Sign is permitted per Bona Fide Agricultural use;
- The Applicant shall submit a plan drawn to scale showing the proposed location of the Sign on the property on which the sign is to be placed;
- The Sign shall comply with the Setback and dimensional requirements of Table 9.8.2. Freestanding On-Premises Signs, of this Ordinance. The applicable requirements of Table 9.8.2, Freestanding On-Premises Signs, shall be determined based on the Zoning District of the property where the Sign is to be located;
- The Sign shall be located outside of any Rights-of-Way and Easements, shall comply with the requirements of Article 9.7, Vision Clearance and Sight Distance Requirements, of this Ordinance, and shall not be internally or externally illuminated;
- The Applicant shall submit a signed letter of intent and supporting documentation indicating that the primary use of the property being advertised is a Bona Fide Agricultural use as defined in this Ordinance and that the products and events advertised are grown, produced, and/or will occur on the Bona Fide Agricultural use property; and
- The Applicant shall submit a signed letter of agreement from the Property Owner of the Parcel on which the Sign is to be located stating that the Property Owner will allow the sign to be erected at the location indicated on the site plan;
- The Sign shall comply with all other applicable sections of this Ordinance; and
- Off-Premises Bona Fide Agricultural Use Sign Permits shall be assigned to the property on which the sign is to be located.
- Menu boards that are constructed as part of a drive-thru service and instructional kiosks that are constructed as part of a self-service use are not deemed to be Freestanding Signs, and shall be designed to be viewed at a pedestrian-scale.
- Readerboard Signs.
- An Electronic Copy Readerboard may be permitted as part of a Freestanding or Wall Sign, provided that documentation has been submitted demonstrating that it complies with all applicable sections of this Ordinance and the following standards:
The Sign is within the Urban/Suburban Area of the County, as defined by the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and is located on a Parcel that:
Is zoned Community Commercial (CC) or Industrial (IN) and is adjacent to (shares side property boundaries) one or more Parcels in the Community Commercial (CC) or Industrial (IN) Zoning District; or
Contains a legally established Civic/Institutional Use as its principal use. If the Parcel shares one or more side property boundaries with Parcels that are zoned Low-Density Residential 4 (R-4), or Special Management 3 (S-3), or that contain Single-Family Detached Dwelling Units, the proposed Electronic Copy Readerboard shall comply with the Special Exception procedures contained in this Ordinance and all other requirements of this Ordinance.
The Sign is not located within any of the Overlay or Special Purpose Districts as described in Chapter 5, Overlay and Special Purpose Zoning Districts, of this Ordinance.
The Electronic Copy Readerboard will exhibit low intensity lighting and low intensity, night dimming red or amber text (no graphics) on a black background and the text will not scroll, fade, or move except on and off.
The copy will not change at intervals less than eight seconds on Electronic Copy Readerboard signs that front on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph or greater and 15 seconds on roads with a speed limit less than 45 mph. On Corner and Double-Frontage Lots, the minimum time interval is based upon the speed limit of the road where the primary access to the property is located.
The Readerboard must constitute no more than 25 percent of the overall allowable Sign area as defined by Table 9.8.5, Wall/Facade Signs.
Electronic copy Readerboard Freestanding Signs are subject to the following conditions:
The Sign must be Monument style, maximum 10 feet in height and the Electronic Copy Readerboard must constitute no more than 25% of the overall allowable Sign area as defined by Table 9.8.2, Freestanding On-Premises Signs.
A maximum of one Readerboard (two-sided) is allowed per Lot for single or multi-tenant structures containing office, commercial, or industrial uses, if attached to permanent Freestanding Signs. The area of the Readerboard is included in the site's total Sign area allowance.
- Manual Readerboard Signs are subject to the following conditions:
The Readerboard must constitute no more than 50 percent of the overall allowable Sign area as defined by Table 9.8.5, Wall/Facade Signs.
The Sign must be Monument style; maximum 10 feet in height and the Readerboard must constitute no more than 50 percent of the overall allowable Sign area as defined by Table 9.8.2, Freestanding On-Premises Signs.
- An Electronic Copy Readerboard may be permitted as part of a Freestanding or Wall Sign, provided that documentation has been submitted demonstrating that it complies with all applicable sections of this Ordinance and the following standards:
Effective on: 9/10/2017, as amended
Sec. 9.8.4 Temporary Signs
All Temporary Signs, unless expressly exempt, require a Zoning Permit and shall comply with all other regulations of this Ordinance. Maximum size, number, duration, location, and height of temporary signs shall conform with Table 9.8.4, Temporary Signs, and the following standards:
| TABLE 9.8.4 TEMPORARY SIGNS | ||||
| Type | Maximum Size | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Setback |
| Real Estate and Project Signs | 48 square feet | One per 1500 ft. frontage Maximum: Three per Lot | 12 feet Six feet in Residential Zoning Districts | Five feet |
| Grand Opening and Special Sales Event Signs | 50 square feet | Two per Lot including Wind-Blown Signs and Gas-Filled Signs [1] | 20 feet | Five feet |
| Permitted Temporary Special Event Signs | 100 sq. ft. | One per Lot | 12 feet Six feet in Residential Zoning Districts | Five feet |
| [1] No maximum number for balloons (max. 3 sq. ft.) and streamers. | ||||
- Portable signs are permitted in accordance with standards of the National Electrical Code and anchoring provisions of the International Building Code, where applicable.
- A site plan and letter of intent indicating the type, amount, and location of the Temporary Sign(s) must be submitted for review.
- Signs Subject to Additional Regulations.
- Special Sales Event Signs.
- A legally established business may submit an application for temporary Signs for the advertisement of one Grand Opening and five Special Sales Events per calendar year.
- Permitted date range will be reflected on the Zoning Permit
- Permitted Signs for Grand Openings or Special Sales Events shall be removed no later than 10 consecutive days after being installed.
- Permitted Temporary Special Events.
- A permitted Special Event is allowed one Special Event Sign per event.
- Permitted date range will be reflected on the Zoning Permit.
- Signs for permitted Special Events shall be removed no later than 10 consecutive days after being installed.
- Real Estate Signs and Project Signs.
Signs 32 square feet or less do not require a Zoning Permit.
Project Signs shall not be erected prior to issuance of a Building Permit.
All Signs shall be removed no later than 15 days after the property is sold or the project is completed.
Signs shall face a maximum of two directions and may be mounted back-to-back or V'ed.
Where Signs are V'ed, the space between panels shall not exceed 3 feet at the point at which panels are closest, and the interior angle formed by Signs shall not exceed 60 degrees. For purposes of these requirements, V'ed Signs shall be counted as one Sign.
Where Signs face two directions, whether back-to-back or V'ed, both Signs must be the same standard size.
Political Signs.
A Zoning Permit shall be required for temporary political Signs greater than 32 square feet in size. Signs greater than 32 square feet shall be treated as permanent Free-Standing Signs, subject to Sec. 9.8.2, Free-Standing Signs, along with applicable County Building Code regulations to ensure that the Signs are adequately designed to be safe and meet current wind load standards to mitigate potential danger to the public.
All Signs shall:
Comply with the Sec. 9.8.1.H, Signs Interfering with Vehicular Vision;
Not interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device; not obstruct or interfere with drivers’ views of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic; and
Not create any other public safety hazards.
Political signs that are not in compliance with this Section will be subject to enforcement measures, as stated in Chapter 11, Violations, Penalties, and Enforcement, of this Ordinance and as allowed by Section 7-25-210 of the S.C. Code of Laws. Additionally, the Property Owner, along with the candidate, political party, and/or political organization explicitly listed on a Sign, will be designated as the Sign owners or the responsible parties for the purpose of enforcement action.
- Campaign Signs.
A Zoning Permit shall not be required for campaign signs 32 square feet or less in size. Signs greater than 32 square feet shall be treated as permanent Freestanding Signs, subject to Sec. 9.8.2, Freestanding Signs, along with applicable County Building Code regulations to ensure that the Signs are adequately designed to be safe and meet current wind load standards to mitigate potential danger to the public.
Campaign signs shall only be posted 45 calendar days prior to a legally scheduled election and must be removed within 15 calendar days after a legally scheduled election.
All Signs shall:
Comply with the Sec. 9.8.1.H, Signs Interfering with Vehicular Vision;
Not interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device; not obstruct or interfere with drivers’ views of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic; and
Not create any other public safety hazards.
Campaign signs that are not in compliance with this Section will be subject to enforcement measures, as stated in Chapter 11, Violations, Penalties, and Enforcement, of this Ordinance and as allowed by Section 7-25-210 of the S.C. Code of Laws. Additionally, the Property Owner, along with the candidate, political party, and/or political organization explicitly listed on a Sign, will be designated as the Sign owners or the responsible parties for the purpose of enforcement action.
Public notice Signs erected by public agencies are exempt from the regulations of this Article.
Nonconforming Signs. Refer to Chapter 10, Nonconformities, of this Ordinance.
- Special Sales Event Signs.
Effective on: 1/1/1901, as amended
Sec. 9.8.5 Wall/Facade Signs
A.
General.
- 1.
Wall Signs may be painted on, attached to, or pinned away from the Wall but must not project from the Wall by more than 12 inches.
- 2.
The hanging or attachment of objects is not permitted unless they are shown on the drawings approved for Sign construction and meet all the requirements of this Ordinance.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.Service Stations, Gasoline.
- a.
The maximum size of the Sign shall not be based on the fueling station canopy.
- b.
Signs under the fueling station canopy are not permitted, with the exception of Directional Signs.
- B.Awning Signs.
- a.
The display of copy on awnings is considered a Wall Sign. The awning Sign must meet all dimensional and intensity standards applicable to Wall Signs in this Article.
- b.
For purposes of the subsection, the display of copy on an Awning Sign must be located above a display window or entryway.
- c.
Text or graphic shall be limited to the face of an awning.
- C.
Single-Tenant Structures. A maximum of two Signs shall be allowed per Wall/Facade, with a maximum of four per Structure for single-tenant Buildings. The cumulative area of all Signs shall not exceed the square footage of Table 9.8.5, Wall/Façade Signs.
TABLE 9.8.5 WALL/FACADE SIGNS Single-Tenant Structures | ||
| Building Length Facing Street | Building Setback | Maximum Size (square feet) |
| 50 feet or less | 0—99 ft.
100—399 ft. 400 or more ft. | 50 100 150 |
| More than 50 feet | 0—99 ft.
100—399 ft. 400 or more ft. | Bldg. Frontage x 1
Bldg. Frontage x 2 Bldg. Frontage x 3 |
- D.Multi-Tenant Structures.
- 1.For multi-tenant structures, including Shopping Centers and Retail Centers, each individual unit will be permitted one square foot of Wall signage per each linear foot of unit Frontage, up to a maximum of 100 square feet per Sign.
- 2.Two Wall Signs are allowed per established business, with the total of all Signs not exceeding the square footage of Sec. 9.8.5.C.1.
Effective on: 9/10/2017, as amended
Sec. 9.8.6 Billboards
| TABLE 9.8.6 BILLBOARDS | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 48 ft. |
| Maximum Width | 14 ft. |
| Maximum Area | 672 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 40 ft. |
| Minimum Setback (from property boundary and above ground utility) | 25/20 ft. |
| Location Criteria Minimum distance to nearest Billboard Minimum distance to nearest On-Premises Freestanding Sign (excluding Signs located on the subject parcel) | 1,000 ft. 500 ft. |
| TABLE 9.8.6 BILLBOARDS | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 48 ft. |
| Maximum Width | 14 ft. |
| Maximum Area | 672 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 40 ft. |
| Minimum Setback (from property boundary and above ground utility) | 25/20 ft. |
| Location Criteria Minimum distance to nearest Billboard Minimum distance to nearest On-Premises Freestanding Sign (excluding Signs located on the subject parcel) | 1,000 ft. 500 ft. |
| TABLE 9.8.6 BILLBOARDS | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 48 ft. |
| Maximum Width | 14 ft. |
| Maximum Area | 672 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 40 ft. |
| Minimum Setback (from property boundary and above ground utility) | 25/20 ft. |
| Location Criteria Minimum distance to nearest Billboard Minimum distance to nearest On-Premises Freestanding Sign (excluding Signs located on the subject parcel) | 1,000 ft. 500 ft. |
| TABLE 9.8.6 BILLBOARDS | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 48 ft. |
| Maximum Width | 14 ft. |
| Maximum Area | 672 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Height | 40 ft. |
| Minimum Setback (from property boundary and above ground utility) | 25/20 ft. |
| Location Criteria Minimum distance to nearest Billboard Minimum distance to nearest On-Premises Freestanding Sign (excluding Signs located on the subject parcel) | 1,000 ft. 500 ft. |
- Orientation.
- Signs shall face a maximum of two directions and may be mounted back to back or V'ed.
- Where Signs are V'ed, the space between panels shall not exceed three feet at the point at which panels are closest, and the interior angle formed by Signs shall not exceed 60 degrees.
- Compatible Size Signs. Where Signs face two directions, whether back to back or V'ed, both Signs must be the same standard size.
- Nonconforming Signs. Refer to Chapter 10, Nonconformities.
- Digital or Electronic Billboards. Digital or Electronic Billboards are permitted in the Industrial Zoning Districts, provided that documentation of compliance with all applicable sections of this Ordinance and documentation that the billboard complies with the following standards are submitted:
- No use of location tracking, data collection, or geofencing of any type may be associated with the Digital or Electronic Billboard;
- All messages, images or displays on a digital or electronically changing billboard shall remain unchanged for a minimum of eight seconds;
- There shall be no appearance of flashing or sudden bursts of light, and no appearance of video motion, animation, scrolling, movement of flow of the message, image or display;
- The Digital or Electronic Billboard shall comply with Sec. 9.9.1.E, Illumination; and
- Proof of approval of the Digital or Electronic Billboard by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
Effective on: 9/10/2017, as amended