In unincorporated Charleston County, dense uncultivated overgrowth over ten inches tall is "weeds and rank vegetation" and a public nuisance. Owners must keep developed lots cut. Inside Charleston, Mount Pleasant or North Charleston, your city sets the height rule.
Charleston County's Livability chapter targets overgrowth rather than a lawn-mowing standard, but the ten-inch trigger functions as a de facto grass-height limit for developed lots. It is unlawful to let a lot become overgrown to the point rodent harborage or mosquito breeding can occur. Code enforcement declares the condition a public nuisance, serves notice, and the owner has ten days to cut and remove the growth. The county may cut it and bill the owner. This applies to unincorporated county land; incorporated municipalities enforce their own maintenance codes.
Failure to cut within ten days of notice is a misdemeanor: fine up to $500 or up to 30 days jail. Each day is a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Charleston County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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