10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Charleston County, an RV, boat, camper, or trailer may be parked on your own residential lot, but a recreational vehicle cannot be lived in outside a licensed RV park. Setback and screening rules from the county ZLDR apply; each island town has its own rules.
Charleston County ZLDR § 6.5.13
Major recreation equipment such as recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping on residential properties or outside of legally established RV parks or campgrounds.
Charleston County's ZLDR (Chapter 9) requires off-street parking areas and driveways to be kept in good condition, with unpaved lots on an approved all-weather surface and paved-lot striping kept visible. You may not block a public or private driveway on the street.
In unincorporated Charleston County, the ZLDR limits storing motor-vehicle parts and inoperable vehicles on residential lots, and island/city streets bar parking long trucks (over 20 feet) for more than an hour. Heavy commercial vehicle storage in residential zones is restricted by zoning.
Charleston County ZLDR § 6.5.14
In all Suburban Residential Zoning Districts, storage of Motor Vehicle parts is allowed only within a completely enclosed Accessory Structure located on the same Lot as the Principal Dwelling Unit.
On public streets in Charleston County, state law (SC Code 56-5-2530) governs where you may not stop, stand, or park: not on sidewalks, in crosswalks, within intersections, or blocking a fire hydrant or driveway. Neighborhood and island towns add their own on-street limits.
Charleston County sets no countywide overnight street-parking ban in unincorporated areas; the state parking rules apply. But beach and island towns strictly regulate overnight parking, and county beach-park lots close at night, so overnight beach parking is generally not allowed.
Charleston County sets no unincorporated-area ordinance mandating or restricting home EV chargers; installing a residential charger follows the SC-adopted electrical code and requires a county building/electrical permit. Public charging stations are available at county and city facilities.
A vehicle left unattended more than 48 hours on a Charleston County highway, or over seven days on private property without the owner's consent, is legally abandoned under SC Code 56-5-5810 and may be tagged and towed. Inoperable-vehicle storage is also limited by county zoning.
SC Code 56-5-5810
"Abandoned vehicle" means a vehicle required to be registered in this State if operated on a public highway in this State that is left unattended on a highway for more than forty-eight hours, or a vehicle that has remained on private or other public property for a period of more than seven days without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property.
Charleston County does not authorize residents to paint public curbs; curb colors and markings are set by the road authority. Where a curb is painted or signed to prohibit parking, or marked as a fire lane, parking there is prohibited under state law and local code.
Charleston County does not set countywide residential loading-zone rules; designated loading zones and time-limited commercial curbs are established by the individual municipalities. On any public street, you must obey posted signs and may not block traffic, driveways, or fire lanes while loading.
On Charleston County-area streets, a vehicle more than 20 feet long generally cannot stop, stand, or park in one spot for more than an hour, a rule the island and city communities enforce. Larger inoperable or junk vehicles on private lots must be screened from view.
Charleston County ZLDR § 6.5.14
The open storage and/or repair of Inoperable Motor Vehicles is not permitted within the required Front Setback. Inoperable Motor Vehicles must be screened by a Fence, Wall, Building, or vegetative buffer that completely shields the vehicles from view off-site.
2 cities in Charleston County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Charleston County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Charleston County Ordinance Hub →