For the purpose of this appendix, the town is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:

Note that the current PDD, planned development district, designation shall be retired as of the effective date of the ordinance from which this appendix derived.

Collectively, these districts are intended to advance the purposes of this ordinance, as stated in the preamble. Individually, each district is designed and intended to accomplish the following more specific objectives:

RS, single-family residential district. The RS district is intended to foster, preserve, and protect areas of the community in which the principal use of land is for detached, single-family dwellings, and certain residential support facilities at low densities.

RG, general residential district. The RG district is intended to accommodate higher density residential development and a variety of housing types on small lots or in project settings, in areas accessible by major streets.

RN, negotiated residential district. The RN district is a special purpose district, allowing for a range of residential uses including, but not limited to, single family residential, duplexes, townhomes, and apartments. The intent is to create a planned, unified development that encourages flexibility of design and allowable residential uses within the district. While a mix of residential uses and types is encouraged, it is not required. In order to rezone property to RN, a concept plan, descriptive statement (described elsewhere in this ordinance), and bonus density calculation shall be submitted to and approved by the town council.

CO, office-commercial district. The CO district is intended to accommodate office, selected service, and institutional uses. It is designed principally for use along major streets and subdivision borders to help ameliorate the consequences of change impacting these areas and to serve as transitions between more intense commercial uses and residential areas. These intentions shall be considered in decisions of requests for CO zoning.

CN, neighborhood-commercial district. The CN district is intended to meet the commercial and service needs generated by nearby residential areas. Goods and services normally available in these districts are of the "convenience variety." CN establishments can provide community members convenient access to frequently used neighborhood-oriented services and give residents the option of walking rather than depending on an automobile. The size of these districts should relate to surrounding residential markets and the locations should be at or near major intersections, in proximity to residential areas, and/or on the periphery of residential areas, moderating transition between residential and potentially incompatible commercial uses. These intentions shall be considered in decisions of requests for CN zoning.

CG, general-commercial district. The CG district is intended to provide for the development and maintenance of commercial and business uses strategically located to serve the community and the larger region of which it is a part. Toward this end, a wide range of business and commercial uses are permitted herein.

LM, light manufacturing district. The intent of the LM district is to accommodate wholesaling, distribution, storage, processing, and light manufacturing uses in an environment suited to such uses and operations, while promoting land use compatibility through the application of performance standards, and to prohibit certain potentially incompatible manufacturing plants.

FA, fringe agricultural district. The intentions of the fringe agricultural district are:

(1)

To retain and support agricultural operations within the fringe areas of the town, between the open countryside and the built-up suburbs; and

(2)

To provide for both rural and urban lifestyles within the town.

MD, mixed-use development district. The mixed-use (MD) district is a special purpose district. The intent is to create a planned, unified development that encourages flexibility of design and allowable uses within the district. Within the MD, regulations adapted to unified planning and development standards are intended to accomplish the purposes of zoning, design standards, and other applicable regulations to an equivalent or higher degree than general zoning district regulations that are designed to control uncoordinated development on individual lots or tracts. Mixed-use developments are intended to promote economical and efficient land use, to provide an improved level of amenities, foster a harmonious variety of uses, encourage creative design, and produce a better environment. In order to rezone property to MD, a concept plan, descriptive statement (described elsewhere in this ordinance), and any required bonus density calculation shall be submitted to and approved by the town council.

(Ord. No. 23-25, 12-5-2023; Ord. No. 24-05, 3-19-2024)

The boundaries of the use districts established by this appendix are shown on the official zoning map which shall be identified by the signature of the mayor, attested by the planning official, and maintained at town hall. The official zoning map and all amendments, certifications, citations, and other matters entered onto the official zoning map are hereby made a part of this appendix and have the same legal effect as if fully set out herein. With the exception of re-designation of parcels zoned PDD to MD, the official zoning map in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this appendix derived shall remain in full force and effect upon ratification of this appendix.

No changes of any nature shall be made on the official zoning map or matters shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this appendix. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this appendix and punishable as provided by law.

The town may maintain, or cause to be maintained, an electronic data base and map of the zoning by parcel address and/or associated tax map survey (TMS) number. If such a map is maintained, it is the responsibility of the planning official to maintain and verify this data base and map and to ensure that electronically generated maps conform to the official zoning map(s).

Amendments to the official zoning map(s), also referred to as map amendments or re-zonings, shall be adopted by ordinance as provided for by this appendix. Promptly after the adoption of a map amendment, the planning official shall alter or cause to be altered the official zoning map for the affected jurisdiction to indicate the amendment and the effective date of the ordinance amending the map.

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts shown on the official zoning map, the following rules shall apply:

(1)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways, alleys, or public utility easements shall be construed to follow such center lines.

(2)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lots or tract lines shall be construed as following such lines, whether public or private.

(3)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following town (political) limits shall be construed as following such political limits.

(4)

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks.

(5)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of natural barriers, such as streams, shall be construed to follow such center lines.

(6)

Boundaries indicated as parallel to, or extensions of, features indicated in subsections (1) through (5) above shall be so construed. If distances are not specifically indicated on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections (1) through (5) above, the boundaries shall be determined by the use of scale of such map.

(7)

Where uncertainties continue to exist after the application of the rules in this section, appeal for clarification may be taken to the board of zoning appeals.

Wherever any petition for the annexation of any area to the town, pursuant to the provisions of any procedure for annexation now or hereafter authorized under the laws of the state, is presented to town council, the council shall, upon acceptance of such petition, refer same to the planning commission for a recommended zoning designation.

The planning commission shall review the petition in relation to the applicant's request, if any, for a specific zoning designation, the town's comprehensive plan, present use, and surrounding development, and shall recommend an appropriate zoning classification based on available alternatives from the compliance index of the comprehensive plan.

The recommended zoning classification for the subject annexed property shall follow the annexation petition presented to council within 60 days. There may be extenuating circumstances where the planning commission's procedural or initial presentation/first reading may be delayed, trailing the final annexation acceptance.

(Ord. No. 22-21, 7-19-2022)

No work shall commence without an approved zoning permit and/or building permit per S.C. Code 1976, § 6-29-950. Zoning approval is required before the issuance of building permits. Construction drawings may be submitted for review and approval to the building official (CC&I) on the same day of or after the submission of a development application and related submissions(s) to the zoning clerk, zoning administrator, or designee. It is recommended to submit construction drawings on the same day or around the same time. Building permits issued in error are invalid until the zoning permit is approved. Any unapproved work must stop. If the work violates zoning standards, the project will have to be corrected or removed immediately. Neither the administrator nor council is obligated to allow the continuance of premature development activity or reimburse any applicant for expenses made before the approval.

Zoning standards are also applicable to the town, county, and state in their pursuit of development within the town per S.C. Code, § 6-29-770. Simply, they too have the complete and submit the applicable applications(s) and provide additional submissions for review and approval. This applies to public schools and colleges per S.C. Code, § 6-9-110. The code states: "Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, exempts school district facilities, reviewed and approved by the State Department of Education, from a county, municipal, or other local ordinances or regulations which require the purchase or acquisition of a permit, license, or other device utilized to enforce a building standard. However, it does not exempt the district from zoning ordinances."

Construction of development activity without an approved zoning permit and/or building permit, and/or noncompliance with zoning standards carry penalties outlined in section 1-8, general penalty, of this Code.

(Ord. No. 22-23, 7-19-2022)