Charleston's pre-1978 housing stock, the largest concentration of historic homes in the South, triggers federal RRP lead-paint rules and disclosure requirements for renovations, sales, and rentals in the historic district.
Many Charleston single houses, Charleston double houses, and Ansonborough rowhomes predate 1978 and contain lead-based paint. The federal RRP Rule (40 CFR Part 745) requires EPA-certified renovators using lead-safe practices for any project disturbing more than six square feet interior or twenty square feet exterior. HUD lead-disclosure rules require sellers and landlords to give buyers and tenants the EPA Protect Your Family pamphlet plus known-lead disclosures. SCDHEC operates a state lead program. The Board of Architectural Review's required maintenance of historic exteriors makes lead-safe scraping, especially of palmetto-trim and piazza columns, an ongoing compliance issue.
Federal RRP violations carry substantial per-day EPA fines; failure to disclose under HUD rules creates civil liability to tenants and buyers, including treble damages in some cases.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not regulate residential lawn ornaments such as statues, garden gnomes, flamingos, religious displays, or holiday figures on private property...
Charleston, SC
Charleston's sign provisions in the Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) prohibit commercial inflatable advertising devices, balloons, and similar wind-driven attenti...
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not impose general municipal time limits on residential holiday lights, and the Zoning Ordinance sign provisions exempt non-commercial reside...
Charleston, SC
Outdoor kitchens with permanent gas lines, water/sewer connections, electrical wiring, or roofed structures require permits in Charleston. A covered or walle...
Charleston, SC
Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 IFC adopted by South Carolina. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits thei...
Charleston, SC
Charleston follows the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking...
See how Charleston's lead paint rules stack up against other locations.
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