9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Charleston County, dense uncultivated overgrowth over ten inches tall is "weeds and rank vegetation" and a public nuisance. Owners must keep developed lots cut. Inside Charleston, Mount Pleasant or North Charleston, your city sets the height rule.
Charleston County Code, Ch. 3 (Livability), Weeds and Rank Vegetation
Weeds and rank vegetation means dense, uncultivated, vegetative overgrowth over ten inches in height, or uncultivated briars, vines or other similar vegetation exceeding six feet in length.
You do not need a permit for light pruning, but in unincorporated Charleston County heavy pruning of a Grand Tree requires a Zoning Permit: removing three or more large limbs or thinning more than 25% of the leaf surface triggers county review under ZLDR Article 9.2.
Charleston County ZLDR, Article 9.2 (Tree Protection and Preservation)
Removal of 3 or more limbs with an individual diameter of 6" or greater and excessive pruning or thinning that exceeds more than 25% of the leaf surface requires a Zoning Permit.
In unincorporated Charleston County, Grand Trees (24-inch-plus diameter, including live oaks) cannot be removed without a Grand Tree Removal Permit, granted only when the tree is dead, diseased, dying or hazardous, or by the Board of Zoning Appeals for hardship.
Charleston County ZLDR, Article 9.2 (Tree Protection and Preservation) — Grand Tree
Any tree 24" or greater diameter, except pine and sweetgum. The measurement is taken at 4.5' height. All Grand Trees are prohibited from removal unless a Grand Tree Removal Permit is issued. A Permit may be approved based on whether the tree is dead, diseased, dying, or a hazard.
Charleston County's Livability code declares weeds and rank vegetation a public nuisance on developed unincorporated lots. Owners must not let property become overgrown so that rodents or mosquitoes breed, and must cut it within ten days of a code-enforcement notice.
Charleston County Code, Ch. 3 (Livability), Weeds and Rank Vegetation
Weeds and rank vegetation means dense, uncultivated, vegetative overgrowth over ten inches in height, or uncultivated briars, vines or other similar vegetation exceeding six feet in length.
Charleston County does not impose a mandatory countywide lawn-watering schedule. Your water utility (usually Charleston Water System) sets service terms, and during drought the region uses voluntary conservation appeals, not enforced day-of-week irrigation bans.
Yes. Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in South Carolina, including Charleston County, for non-potable outdoor use. There is no county rule against rain barrels or cisterns; the state and local programs actively promote them as stormwater best practices.
Charleston County does not require or ban native-plant landscaping on single-family lots. Its ZLDR landscaping and buffer standards for larger developments favor tree preservation and appropriate plantings, and native, salt-tolerant Lowcountry species are strongly encouraged for coastal and stormwater benefits.
Charleston County has no ordinance specifically banning or requiring artificial turf on residential lots. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, but must not obstruct stormwater drainage, and county stormwater and tree-protection rules still apply to any grading or clearing.
Backyard composting is allowed in Charleston County, and the county runs a large composting facility processing nearly all landfill yard waste. Yard debris must be set out properly for collection; the county also partners on free regional food-scrap drop-off composting.
2 cities in Charleston County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Charleston County Ordinance Hub →