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.
ZLDR §4.2.3.A.2 lets fences, hedges, and walls stand within a required setback, but they cannot obstruct the view of vehicular access to any roadway between three and ten feet above grade. At residential driveways an unobstructed vision-clearance triangle must be maintained, formed by a 15-foot line into the driveway and a 15-foot line along the roadway (Figure 4.2.3). A six-foot opaque fence or wall can also let the Zoning & Planning Director cut a required land-use buffer by up to half (never below a 10-foot vegetated buffer). Fences must not impede drainage.
A fence that blocks the required vision-clearance triangle or obstructs drainage is a violation; the county can require it be lowered, relocated, or removed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not regulate residential lawn ornaments such as statues, garden gnomes, flamingos, religious displays, or holiday figures on private property...
Charleston, SC
Charleston's sign provisions in the Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) prohibit commercial inflatable advertising devices, balloons, and similar wind-driven attenti...
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not impose general municipal time limits on residential holiday lights, and the Zoning Ordinance sign provisions exempt non-commercial reside...
Charleston, SC
Outdoor kitchens with permanent gas lines, water/sewer connections, electrical wiring, or roofed structures require permits in Charleston. A covered or walle...
Charleston, SC
Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 IFC adopted by South Carolina. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits thei...
Charleston, SC
Charleston follows the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking...
See how Charleston's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.