Charleston County Zoning & Planning Department

Zoning Permit, Home Occupation, Temporary Zoning Permit, Site Plan Review and Sign Permits (unincorporated Charleston County)

The Zoning & Planning Department's page states: "A zoning permit is required for many activities, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuance of a building permit, the issuance of a business license, excavation activities, grading, filling, surfacing, earth disturbing activities, clearing and/or grubbing, tree removal, redirecting or altering stormwater conveyance features, changes in use, installation of signs, construction of dwelling units and other structures, and moving of dwelling units and manufactured housing units." The same page states that the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR) "only applies to unincorporated properties." The Revenue Collections FAQ adds that "a zoning permit must be obtained before a new license may be issued", so a new business in the unincorporated county obtains its zoning permit from the Zoning & Planning Department before the county business license. Ordinance 2286, which restates the department's fee schedule in County Code §2-137 (Exhibit A) and took effect on third reading on May 7, 2024, sets: Home Occupation $50.00; Temporary Zoning Permit $50.00; Limited Site Plan Review $50.00; site plan review for up to 5,000 SF building size, or up to 10 acres if no buildings are included, $250.00; for greater than 5,000 SF building size, or 10 acres or more with no buildings, $500.00; Wall Signs (per use) $50.00; Free Standing Sign $50.00. Fee Schedule Note P.3 doubles the zoning application/permit fees when the application is needed to bring a property with a current zoning violation into compliance with the ZLDR. The commercial and industrial zoning permit amount is in Ord. 2286 Exhibit A item G.6; Zoning & Planning confirms which amount applies to a particular building. A home-based business uses the Home Occupation permit. A business inside a municipality applies to that municipality; Zoning & Planning also provides zoning permitting for the Town of Rockville.