ADU rules in Charleston County, SC — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
In unincorporated Charleston County, one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot in Agricultural and Residential districts. In the Rural Area the ADU cannot exceed 1,500 square feet of heated floor area, and it must meet all normal district setbacks.
The Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) Sec. 6.5.9 govern ADUs on unincorporated county land. Only one ADU is permitted per lot. In the Rural Area the lot must be at least 50 percent larger than the minimum required for a principal structure, and the ADU's heated gross floor area may not exceed 1,500 square feet. ADUs must comply with all district setback, buffer, coverage, height and waterfront standards. Lots that contain or abut an OCRM Critical Line must also meet Article 4.24.2 minimum-lot standards. Separate electrical meters are not allowed for attached ADUs. Inside Charleston city, Mount Pleasant or other municipalities, that town's own ADU code applies instead.
ADUs built without required zoning permits or exceeding size/setback standards are zoning violations enforced under ZLDR Chapter 11 (Violations, Penalties, and Enforcement) by the Zoning and Planning Department.
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