Charleston, SC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

City Code Section 7-114 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, current version, as Charleston's property maintenance code, covering the condition and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures citywide. 4 rewrites the model code's general weed limit to read that premises and exterior property must be kept free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches on the average, applying to every improved lot in the city, not just vacant land. 1 splits responsibility among the Livability Division for quality-of-life and nuisance violations such as overgrown vegetation, the Chief Fire Marshal for fire and life-safety elements, and the Building Inspection Division for structural matters, with the Livability Director, Chief Fire Marshal or Chief Building Official (or a designee) empowered to enforce.

6, posted on the city's website. 1, but the written appeal must be filed within 30 days of the notice or order being served, and the appeal is limited to claims that the code was misapplied, does not fully apply, or that the requirement is satisfied by other means.