New Zoning Code effective May 1, 2025 — first full rewrite since 1979

The Town's Planning, Land Use, and Neighborhoods page states the updated Zoning Code took effect May 1, 2025 and is published through American Legal Publishing. Staff began the rewrite in 2020, and it was the first wholesale update of the zoning code since 1979; completing it was the stated reason for repeatedly extending the multifamily moratorium. Two subject areas were relocated out of Chapter 156 in the process: Vested Rights moved to Chapter 151 and the Workforce Housing Exemption Grant Program moved to Chapter 154. This rewrite is why the Building Permit Allocation System, adopted and amended as 'Section 156.070, et seq.,' is now codified at §§ 156.1690 et seq. Anyone checking a section number written before May 2025 should expect it to have moved.

More like this

Residential Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS) — currently in effect →BPAS history: adoption, the 2024 extension, and the failed motions to cut the number further →BPAS exemptions — what does NOT count against the cap →Development impact fees on new residential construction — published schedule →Impact fees on non-residential construction →Multifamily moratorium — expired; the 500 multi-family permits are now reachable →

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Kept by Jim Deutsch, Charleston REALTOR®, eXp Realty LLC – Charleston (SC). Hours, fees and rules change — the operator's own site above is the authority. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any business or agency named here.

Jim Deutsch

Charleston REALTOR® · eXp Realty LLC – Charleston (SC)

Jim farms seven Mount Pleasant neighborhoods specifically — not “the Charleston area.” That is the whole point of this index: one agent who knows which street floods, which floor plan appraises, and what the last eleven sales actually closed at, because he keeps the record himself.

SC License #102254 · james.deutsch@exprealty.com