Tree Protection in Charleston, SC (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Charleston protects any 'grand tree,' defined as 24 inches or more in diameter at breast height (excluding pines and sweetgums), from removal, relocation or damage on non-exempt land unless the Zoning Administrator, or the Board of Zoning Appeals-Site Design, grants a variance, special exception or staff approval under Section 54-329. The protection follows the tree even onto small residential lots otherwise exempt from the ordinance.
Charleston Grand Tree Protection: The 24-Inch Rule
Significant RestrictionsCharleston Zoning Ordinance §§ 54-326(a), 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. For subdivisions, the siting of a lot so as to place a grand tree at or near t...
Protected Tree Species
Charleston's zoning code protects two tiers of trees by trunk diameter: any grand tree of 24 inches or more, excluding pines and sweetgums, cannot be removed without a variance, special exception, or staff approval, and no more than 25 percent of a parcel's protected trees of 8 inches or larger may be cleared in any five-year period before development.
Charleston Grand and Protected Tree Rules
Significant RestrictionsCharleston, SC Zoning Ordinance § 54-327(a)-(b)
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 subdivis...
Parkway Planting
No shade or ornamental tree or shrub may go into a Charleston public right-of-way or easement without the Department of Parks director's approval and a permit under City Code § 22-51. Section 22-52 ties approval to species, tree structure, spacing and distance from pavement or sidewalk as set by the city's street tree manual, with planting done at the permittee's expense.
Charleston Street Tree Planting Permits
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code §§ 22-51-22-52
No shade or ornamental tree or shrub shall be planted in any of the public rights-of-way or easements of the city until such tree or shrub shall have first been approved by the director of the department of parks and a permit therefore be granted by the director of the department of parks. Approved and permitted shade trees, ornamental trees, and shrubs shall be planted at the permittee's expen...
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Tree Protection in Charleston County →