Outdoor Lighting in North Charleston, SC (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for North Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
The City of North Charleston caps outdoor light fixture height by zoning district and requires cutoff or full cutoff fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial areas to shield the light source.
North Charleston Outdoor Lighting Cutoff Rules
Some RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) § 4-17(a)(iii)-(iv)
(iii) Light fixtures in residentially zoned areas shall be limited in height to eighteen (18) feet using cutoff fixtures. (iv) Light fixtures in commercial and industrial zoned areas: (1) Commercially zoned properties shall be limited in height to twenty-four (24) feet using full cutoff fixtures...(2) Light fixtures in industrially-zoned areas shall be limited in height to thirty (30) feet usin...
Light Trespass & Shielding
North Charleston caps how much light a commercial or industrial site can throw onto a neighboring residential lot. Appendix A Section 4-17(a)(i) limits spill-over to one-half footcandle measured at the residential property line, and the same section sets fixture height limits by zoning district and requires a lighting plan with every site plan submission.
North Charleston Site Lighting Spill-Over Limits
Some RestrictionsNorth Charleston Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) § 4-17(a)(i), (a)(iii), (c)(i)
(i)Street and site lighting shall be of low intensity from a concealed light source and with effective provisions made to prevent spill-over into adjoining properties or roadways. Any spill-over from a commercial or industrial site into a residential area shall not exceed one-half footcandle measured at the property line of the site of the light source nearest the residential area. ... (iii)Lig...
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement North Charleston city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Charleston County →