Landscaping Rules in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Beaufort County requires a Tree Removal Permit before cutting, relocating, or substantially altering a protected tree, under Community Development Code Section 7.2.50. Protected trees include specimen, grand, and mitigation trees defined in the county's tree protection standards, and the permit review runs through the Director of the Department of Community Development.
Tree Removal Permit, Beaufort County
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 7.2.50
B.Applicability. Unless exempted in accordance with Subsection 7.2.50.C below, a Tree Removal Permit approved in accordance with this section is required before any land disturbing activities or the removal, relocation, or substantial alteration of a protected tree, as defined in Division 5.11 of this Development Code
Weed Ordinances
Beaufort County Code of Ordinances § 38-33 requires owners of improved residential or commercial property in the unincorporated county to cut overgrown grass, weeds and rank vegetation before it becomes unsightly or a nuisance, but lots of three acres or more need only be cut 100 feet from the road and side property lines.
Beaufort County Weeds And Rank Vegetation Rule
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Code of Ordinances § 38-33
It shall be the duty of the owner, agent, occupant, or lessee of any improved residential or commercial property in any unincorporated area within the county, to cut, or cause to cut any, overgrowth of grasses, weeds, and rank vegetation as often as may be necessary to prevent the property becoming unsightly. ... It shall be the duty of any owner, lessee, occupant, agent, or representative of t...
Water Restrictions
Beaufort County Code of Ordinances §§ 22-58 and 22-59 let the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority curtail nonessential water use during declared droughts. During an extreme drought, residential customers must cut interior use to 55 gallons per person per day, use only handheld irrigation, and water lawns only Tuesday and Saturday.
Beaufort County Landscape Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Code of Ordinances § 22-59
Residential water users served by the authority shall: 1. Restrict interior water use to 55 gallons/person/day or a maximum of 220 gallons/household/day. 2. Reduce domestic water use to minimum levels necessary to maintain health and safety. 3. Cease filling or maintaining of recreational facilities such as swimming pools or water slides. 4. Use only low volume, handheld applicators for landsca...
Rainwater Harvesting
Beaufort County's Community Development Code lists rain barrels and cisterns as approved stormwater best management practices for new development, setting a 50-gallon minimum storage suggestion and a mandatory insect-proof cover for rain barrels used to slow and reuse downspout runoff.
Beaufort County Rain Barrel and Cistern Standard
Few RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.12.30.C
Rain Barrels are connected directly to downspouts to capture and store runoff for future use. Stormwater discharge is slowed down and water can be reused for irrigation. Fifty gallons of storage is suggested as a minimum. Barrels must also have a cover to prevent insect and debris collection. Cisterns function similar to rain barrels by collected stormwater and storing it for reuse, but on a mu...
Native Plants
Beaufort County's Community Development Code pushes new landscaping toward native, drought-tolerant plants countywide and requires it outright for street trees in the T1, T2, T3 and C3 zones. Table 2.9.70.A calls for species 'requiring minimal irrigation, fertilization and maintenance,' clustered naturalistically, while Section 5.8.30 sets nursery-stock standards for every landscape plan the Department of Community Development reviews.
Beaufort County Native Landscaping Standards
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.8.30.D
D.Plant Materials.1.All landscape plant materials shall conform to the latest version of the American Standard of Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1, as amended).2.The use of indigenous, drought tolerant vegetation shall be encouraged and utilized whenever practicable.
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