7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Charleston County, a fence under six feet is generally exempt from a zoning permit. Any fence taller than six feet, or built of brick, stone, or concrete at any height, needs a zoning permit and must meet building code. Fences never block driveway sight lines.
Charleston County ZLDR §3.8.2.C
A Zoning Permit shall not be required for the installation of any fence that is less than six feet in height and exempt from Charleston County Building Code requirements, as amended, except those made of brick, stone, or concrete.
A zoning permit is not required for a fence under six feet that is exempt from the building code, except fences made of brick, stone, or concrete, which need a permit at any height. Taller fences and masonry walls require a permit from Charleston County Zoning & Planning.
Charleston County ZLDR §3.8.2.C
A Zoning Permit shall not be required for the installation of any fence that is less than six feet in height and exempt from Charleston County Building Code requirements, as amended, except those made of brick, stone, or concrete.
Charleston County's ZLDR regulates fence height, permits, and sight lines but does not set cost-sharing or maintenance duties between neighbors. A boundary fence is a private matter under South Carolina property law; the county will not adjudicate who pays. Confirm your property line before building.
Retaining walls are treated as structures under Charleston County's zoning and building rules. Walls counted as fences or walls are measured from the higher side, must not obstruct drainage or roadway sight lines, and taller or masonry walls typically need a permit. Larger engineered walls trigger building-code and stormwater review.
Charleston County ZLDR §4.2.4.A.1
In the case of fences or walls, height shall be measured from ground level on the higher side of the fence or wall.
In unincorporated Charleston County, fences may sit within required setbacks but cannot obstruct roadway sight lines between three and ten feet above grade, and a 15-foot vision-clearance triangle must be kept clear at residential driveways. Fences also cannot block natural drainage or sit unlawfully in easements.
Charleston County ZLDR §4.2.3.A.2
In all Zoning Districts, fences, hedges and walls may be located within any required setback, provided that no fence, wall or hedge shall obstruct the view of vehicular access to any Roadway between three (3) and ten (10) feet in height above grade.
Charleston County's ZLDR does not ban ordinary fence materials, but it singles out masonry: any fence of brick, stone, or concrete requires a zoning permit regardless of height. Other materials under six feet are generally permit-exempt. All fences must meet building code and drainage/sight-line rules.
Charleston County ZLDR §3.8.2.C
A Zoning Permit shall not be required for the installation of any fence that is less than six feet in height and exempt from Charleston County Building Code requirements, as amended, except those made of brick, stone, or concrete.
Charleston County allows common fencing materials without a special approved list. The key distinction is masonry: brick, stone, or concrete fences need a zoning permit at any height, while other materials under six feet are usually exempt. All fences must meet building code and cannot obstruct drainage.
Charleston County ZLDR §4.2.4.A.2
Fences and Walls shall not limit or obstruct the flow of water in natural drainage courses or Drainage Easements.
2 cities in Charleston County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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