North Charleston, SC Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Section 9-71.1 of the North Charleston Code of Ordinances defines salvage or junk as waste, discarded or salvaged matter that is bought, sold, exchanged, stored, bailed, packed or disassembled for profit, trade or hire. The definition also sweeps in any vehicle that fails state or federal safety regulations, cannot move under its own power, or is partially dismantled, once it stays on the premises more than 72 hours. Two vehicle carve-outs exist. A vehicle held for repair or towing storage at a properly zoned repair or towing facility is exempt, but once it sits longer than 90 days the facility must document reasonable efforts to repair or return it and show reasonable cause for the delay, such as statutory waiting periods under state law or parts on back order. A city licensed restoration vehicle that complies with Chapter 10.5, Article VII of the Code is also exempt. A salvage or junk business is any premises where such material is found and has been allowed to remain with the consent of the owner, lessee or person responsible for maintenance.

Subsection (b) makes the annual business license mandatory before anyone operates. Subsection (c) then requires the material to be fully enclosed by an opaque barrier of trees, shrubbery, fence or a combination, so nothing is visible from adjacent public right-of-way or from public or private land. The barrier may enclose less than the whole premises, but it must be at least 8 feet high, be kept neat, clean and safe, and have gates that stay locked whenever no operator or agent of the owner is present. Barrier plans go to the city code enforcement officer, the business license inspector and the building inspector, so the barrier must be up on or before the grant of an occupancy permit or business license.

Subsection (d) governs daily conduct. Nothing may be stored, left or placed outside the barrier, materials must be stored to prevent rats, insects and other vermin, standing water that breeds mosquitoes is not allowed, and stacks must leave easy access for firefighting and cannot hang over or extend beyond the barrier. Subsection (e) declares any violation a public nuisance. Subsection (f) gave businesses existing in 1992, and later annexed businesses, one year to come into compliance.