In unincorporated Charleston County, a fence under six feet is generally exempt from a zoning permit. Any fence taller than six feet, or built of brick, stone, or concrete at any height, needs a zoning permit and must meet building code. Fences never block driveway sight lines.
The Charleston County Zoning & Land Development Regulations (ZLDR §3.8.2.C) exempt fences under six feet in height from a zoning permit unless made of brick, stone, or concrete. Fence height is measured from ground level on the higher side of the fence (ZLDR §4.2.4.A). Fences, hedges, and walls may sit within a required setback but must not obstruct roadway vision between three and ten feet above grade, and a 15-foot vision-clearance triangle must be kept at residential driveways. Inside the cities (Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant) the municipal code governs instead.
Building or expanding a fence without a required zoning permit is a ZLDR violation; the Zoning & Planning Department can order correction, and unpermitted work may be cited or required to be removed.
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