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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in North Charleston, SC (2026)

3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for North Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Sidewalk Repair

North Charleston puts the job of keeping an abutting sidewalk clean squarely on the adjoining property's occupant, tenant and owner under Code of Ordinances § 9-42, not on the city. That duty covers the sidewalk to the curb, or the road edge if there is no sidewalk, and requires it stay free of trash, ashes, rubbish, grass and weeds. Multi-tenant buildings share the duty jointly and severally under § 9-43.

North Charleston Sidewalk Maintenance Duty

Some Restrictions

North Charleston Code of Ordinances §§ 9-42, 9-44

Sec. 9-42. - Keeping sidewalks or road rights-of-way clean and free of trash, ashes, weeds, etc. Every occupant, tenant and owner of every building and/or the holder of any possessory interest in any vacant lot abutting on a sidewalk or road right-of-way in the city shall jointly and severally keep and maintain such sidewalk, to the curb line thereof or if there is no sidewalk then to the edge ...

Obstruction Rules

It's unlawful in North Charleston to knowingly block pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public sidewalk, street, or roadway, or to place sports equipment within 10 feet of the right-of-way.

North Charleston Sidewalk Obstruction Ban

Some Restrictions

North Charleston Code of Ordinances § 17-133

No person shall knowingly and intentionally engage in conduct which impedes, or is likely to impede, pedestrian or vehicular traffic along any public street, sidewalk, or roadway.(b)No person shall place, erect, install, or use any sporting equipment, ball, puck, lines, or sporting goals in, or within ten (10) feet of, any public right-of-way.(c)The provisions contained within subsection 17-133...

Encroachment Permits

Anyone wanting to build steps, ventilator gratings, or similar fixtures into the sidewalk area of a North Charleston street needs a written agreement approved by the director of public works first.

North Charleston Sidewalk Encroachment Permit

Some Restrictions

North Charleston Code of Ordinances § 17-124

No person hereafter shall erect, advance or project any foundation, step, ventilator grating, cellar, vault, hose connection, faucet, post or other projection below, upon the surface of, or into, the area normally used by pedestrians on any street, way, lane, alley, open court or other public property, except pursuant to a written agreement approved by the director of public works...

Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement North Charleston city rules.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Charleston County