Charleston does not impose general municipal time limits on residential holiday lights, and the Zoning Ordinance sign provisions exempt non-commercial residential decorations. However, properties in the Old & Historic District or Old City District are subject to BAR design guidelines, which limit permanent attachments to historic facades and address visual character. Standard city nuisance and outdoor-lighting provisions still apply. HOA-recorded covenants may impose private rules enforceable under SC Code §27-30 (Horizontal Property Act) and SC HOA law.
Holiday lights and decorations on residential property in Charleston are not specifically regulated by a citywide time-window ordinance. The Charleston Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) regulates commercial signs; non-commercial residential holiday displays, including string lights, lighted figures, and wreaths, generally do not meet the definition of a regulated sign and do not require a sign permit. However, properties in the Old & Historic District or the Old City District are subject to BAR design guidelines and Title 54 historic-preservation standards. The BAR does not require pre-approval for seasonal temporary lights, but permanent attachments such as drilled clips, hardwired channels, or fixtures requiring alterations to a historic facade trigger BAR review. Persistent light trespass into a neighbor's window or amplified music broadcast with a display may be cited under Charleston city code Title 21 nuisance provisions. Charleston has dark-sky-style outdoor lighting provisions affecting commercial properties; residential holiday lights are generally exempt. HOA covenants and condominium declarations may impose date windows enforceable in civil court under SC Code §27-30.
Charleston does not impose a citywide penalty for non-compliant holiday-light timing on residential properties. Persistent light or noise nuisances are addressed by Code Enforcement under Title 21. Unauthorized permanent attachments to historic facades in the Old & Historic District can be cited as BAR violations and may require restoration. HOA violations are enforced privately. Confirm current procedures with Charleston Code Enforcement.
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