5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Home occupations are allowed as an accessory use to any residential or agricultural use if they stay subordinate to the home. The ZLDR limits floor area to 25 percent, requires all activity to stay enclosed, and bans impacts perceptible beyond the lot line.
Charleston County ZLDR 6.5.11.H
No more than 25 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling unit may be used to house a home occupation. Up to 1,000 square feet of an accessory structure, such as a garage, may be used for a home occupation.
A home occupation may display one non-illuminated sign no larger than 216 square inches, attached to the house or a fence. There must be no other visible evidence of the business from the street or an adjacent lot.
Charleston County ZLDR 6.5.11.J
One (1) non-illuminated sign not to exceed 216 square inches in size (example: 12 inches by 18 inches) may be permitted per property on which a legally established Home Occupation use exists; The sign must be attached to the principal structure or fence located on the subject property.
South Carolina's home-based food law lets you make and sell non-potentially hazardous foods from your home with no permit, license, or inspection, as long as each package carries the required state disclosure label.
SC Code 44-1-143
'Home-based food production operation' means an individual, operating out of the individual's dwelling, who prepares, processes, packages, stores, and distributes nonpotentially hazardous foods for sale directly to a person, including online and by mail order, or to retail stores, including grocery stores.
Home childcare is licensed or registered by the SC Department of Social Services, not the county. Charleston County's zoning code (ZLDR §6.4.28) governs where an adult or child day care facility may locate on unincorporated land.
A zoning permit is required for every home occupation in unincorporated Charleston County. The operator must be a full-time resident, and only one nonresident employee is allowed on site.
Charleston County ZLDR 6.5.11.A
Zoning Permits shall be required for all home occupations.
2 cities in Charleston County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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