Tree Protection in Dorchester County, SC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Dorchester County protects Grand trees, its heritage class: any tree 24 inches DBH or larger, including pine. Grand trees may be removed only by permit, and in development only with mitigation. Big live oaks are the classic Grand tree.
Dorchester County Grand & Heritage Tree Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13), § 12.4.2(c) Tree and Canopy Protection Standards
A tree of special value due to its age and stature is deemed of irreplaceable value to Dorchester County. Trees twenty-four inches (24") in DBH or greater, including pine, shall be considered Grand trees and protected by Dorchester County under this Ordinance.
Protected Tree Species
Dorchester County protects trees by size, not just species: any Significant Tree (12 to 24 inches in diameter, excluding pine) or Required Tree planted to meet an ordinance requirement counts as a Protected tree. Removing one without a permit is unlawful under the county's Zoning and Land Development Standards.
Dorchester County Protected Tree Size Rules
Some RestrictionsDorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13) § 12.4.2(a)-(b)
Trees protected by ordinance are defined and categorized as follows. Any tree defined in subsections (a) through (c), immediately below, shall be considered Protected trees. (a) Significant Tree. A tree twelve inches (12") in diameter at breast height (DBH) to twenty-four inches (24"), excluding pine, shall be protected by Dorchester County under this Ordinance because of its contribution to th...
Parkway Planting
Cluster subdivisions in Dorchester County must plant a canopy street tree every 50 feet on average down the center of the 8-foot lawn verge that separates the sidewalk from the curb. The requirement is part of the enhanced 56-foot road section the zoning ordinance mandates for cluster developments, and the County Engineer can require root barriers to protect the sidewalk and curb.
Dorchester County Street Tree Spacing Standard
Some RestrictionsDorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13), § 10.7.4(C) Cluster Subdivision Development, Minimum Site Design Standards
10.7.4 Minimum Site Design Standards ... (C) Enhanced road sections shall be provided in all cluster subdivisions. ... The standard rights-of-way road section shall be fifty-six feet (56') wide and include at minimum: (1) Five-foot (5') sidewalk on both sides of street. (2) Eight-foot (8') lawn verge on both sides of street measured from back of curb to edge of sidewalk (3) Canopy street trees ...
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