Landscaping Rules in Charleston, SC (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Charleston bars anyone from cutting, pruning, breaking, climbing on, or removing a tree or ornamental shrub standing in a public right-of-way, easement, or on city property without written permission from the director of the department of parks. City Code § 22-53 covers street trees and the planting strip between sidewalk and curb, not trees entirely on private residential land, and pairs the ban with a path to after-the-fact approval.
Charleston Permit Required to Prune Street Trees
Significant RestrictionsCity Code § 22-53
No person shall, without the written permission of the director of the department of parks, cut, prune, break, climb, attach anything to, use as anchorage, injure or remove any tree or ornamental shrub located in a public right-of-way or easement of the city or on public property. For trees removed unlawfully, without approval, the director of parks is authorized to grant after-the-fact approva...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
On private land, Charleston bars removing, relocating or damaging any 'grand tree,' 24 inches or more in diameter, without a variance, special exception or staff approval under Zoning Ordinance § 54-327. Before development, no more than 25 percent of 'protected trees,' 8 inches or more in diameter, may be removed in any five-year span, and every parcel must retain at least 15 protected trees per acre.
Charleston Protects Grand, Protected Trees
Significant RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance § 54-327
a.Protection of Grand Trees. The removal, relocation, destruction or abuse in any manner of any grand tree (24″ or greater D.B.H., excluding pine trees and sweetgum trees) is prohibited on any parcel of non-exempt land unless a variance, special exception, or staff approval has been obtained pursuant to Section 54-329.b.Protected Trees Prior to Development. Where a building permit or subdivisio...
Weed Ordinances
Charleston caps weeds and other plant growth on any property's exterior at 12 inches on average under the city's amended International Property Maintenance Code. The Livability Division, Fire Marshal Division and Building Inspection Division share enforcement of Section 302.4, with fees and appeals set citywide under Chapter 7.
Charleston's 12-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 7-115 (IPMC § 302.4)
Section 302.4 shall read: Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of twelve inches on the average.
Water Restrictions
Charleston has no year-round watering-day schedule. Instead, City Code Sec. 30-211 lets the mayor and the chairman of the Commissioners of Public Works proclaim water conservation measures during a drought or emergency, and Sec. 30-212 then bans lawn and street sprinkling, car washing and pool filling for however long the proclamation stays in force.
Charleston Mayor Can Ban Lawn Sprinkling in Drought
Significant RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 30-212(a)
Immediately upon the issuance of a proclamation as provided in section 30-211 and so long as the same may be in force, it shall be unlawful for any person to commit such of the following acts as may be prohibited in such proclamation:(1)Washing carriages and automobiles in private and public garages or elsewhere.(2)Sprinkling private or public lawns.(3)Sprinkling streets.(4)Washing pavements.(5...
Rainwater Harvesting
In Charleston's Upper Peninsula District, buildings seeking a height or density bonus can earn stormwater management points by installing a rainwater harvesting system among other low-impact development options, and an 'exceptional' outdoor public space bonus specifically requires rainwater catchment cisterns that feed the site's irrigation system.
Charleston Rainwater Harvesting Incentive Credit
Light RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance § 54-299.32(1) and (6)
Approved systems include, but are not limited to, bioretention cells, permeable pavement, stormwater infiltration, vegetated green roofs, rainwater harvesting and impervious surface disconnection... Impervious surfaces shall not exceed sixty five (65%) percent of the surface area of the entire site... The space shall use rainwater catchment cisterns to collect rainwater on site. The collected r...
Native Plants
Charleston's Upper Peninsula District requires that any outdoor public space built to earn a height or density bonus include native plants, or non-invasive introduced plants, under Sec. 54-299.32(6). The requirement is tied to the district's optional incentive program, not a citywide landscaping mandate.
Charleston Native Plant Rule for Bonus Public Space
Light RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance § 54-299.32(6)(g)-(h)
The space shall include ample plantings such as trees, shrubs, flowering plants, groundcover or turf, as appropriate. Generally, turf shall be limited to areas where use and/or play is anticipated. Responsible selection, placement and spacing of vegetation shall be made so all species may mature properly in the space over time...The space shall include native plants or introduced plants that ar...
Composting
Charleston encourages home composting of leaves and grass as an alternative to curbside disposal but does not require it or set bin standards; residents who skip composting must bag leaves and grass in brown paper bags for pickup under City Code Sec. 14-46(c).
Charleston Home Composting and Yard Waste Rule
Few RestrictionsCharleston, SC Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-46(c)
(c)All leaves and grass shall be placed in brown paper bags designed for the purpose of leaf and clippings disposal and placed at the curb. It shall be the responsibility of the resident to provide the necessary bags. Loose leaves and grass placed at the curb in piles will not be collected. No household garbage may be placed in with leaves or grass. Such mixtures shall be separated by the resid...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Charleston County →