Building Setbacks & Zoning in Charleston, SC (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Charleston sets front, side and rear yard setbacks by zoning district in Table 3.1 of the zoning ordinance. Single-family SR-1 and SR-2 lots need a 25-foot front and rear setback with 9 feet on each side, while denser SR-6 lots need only 18 feet front, 10 feet rear and 5 feet per side.
Charleston Yard Setback Minimums by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance § 54-301, Table 3.1
the minimum dimensions of yards, courts and other open spaces... shall be as shown on Table 3.1: Height, Area and Setback Regulations... SR-1 21 50′ 25′ 25′ 18′ 9′ 9′ 9,000(4.8) NA NA 35% 35/2½ str. 6′ 60′ 25′ Not Allowed ... SR-6 21 28′ 18′ 10′ 10′ 5′ 5′ 5,000(8.7) NA NA 50% 35′/2½ str. 6′ 60′ 5′ Not Allowed ... DR-1 1/21 3′ NR 3′ 15′ 9′ 3′ 4,000(10.9) 3,000(14.5) 2,250(19.4) 35% 50′3 str. 6′ ...
Structure Height Limits
Charleston caps residential structure height by zoning district under Table 3.1: 35 feet (2.5 stories) in SR-1, SR-2, SR-6, SR-7, SR-8 and STR, and 50 feet (3 stories) in the denser SR-3, SR-4 and SR-5 single-family districts. A separate rule governs the historic peninsula's Old City Height District.
Charleston Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance §§ 54-301, Table 3.1 and 54-505(c)
SR-1 21 50′ 25′ 25′ 18′ 9′ 9′ 9,000(4.8) NA NA 35% 35/2½ str. 6′ 60′ 25′ Not Allowed ... In any Conservation, RR-1, SR-1, SR-2, SR-6, SR-7 and STR zoning district, the height of a dwelling may be increased to forty (40) feet, but not exceed 2½ stories, provided that the width of each side yard required by Table 3.1 for the districts in which the building is located is increased a distance equal...
Lot Coverage Limits
Charleston caps the share of a lot that buildings can cover under Table 3.1 of the zoning ordinance. Coverage tops out at 25 percent in the Conservation district, rises to 35 percent in most single-family zones like SR-1, and reaches 50 percent in denser SR-2, SR-6, STR and diverse residential districts. The code calls this limit 'lot occupancy.'
Charleston Lot Coverage Limits by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance § 54-301, Table 3.1
In any zone district, except the Neighborhood District or the Agricultural Districts or on land developed pursuant to Neighborhood District or Agricultural District regulations... the percent of lot to be occupied by buildings shall be as shown on Table 3.1: Height, Area and Setback Regulations... C 23 85′ 50′ 35′ 30′ 15′ 15′ 1½ acres 3 acres NA 25% 35′/2½str. NA 35′ ... SR-1 21 50′ 25′ 25′ 18′...
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Charleston County →