Pop. 115,382 · Charleston County
North Charleston regulates the parking and storage of RVs, boats, and trailers on residential properties. Vehicles must be stored in appropriate locations and maintained in good condition.
North Charleston requires driveways to meet certain standards. Parking is only allowed on paved or approved surfaces, and vehicles may not block sidewalks or rights-of-way.
North Charleston regulates on-street parking through posted signs and general ordinances. Vehicles may not be parked for more than 72 hours in the same location and must be currently registered.
North Charleston caps short-term rental occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of eight persons (including children), with stays limited to twenty-nine consecutive days, under Section 4-21 of Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances.
North Charleston's short-term rental ordinance (Section 4-21 of Appendix A) does not impose a specific liability-insurance minimum on STR operators, unlike the City of Charleston which requires $1,000,000 per occurrence; carriers and platforms still strongly recommend coverage.
Short-term rental guests in North Charleston must comply with the city's noise ordinances. Excessive noise from rental properties is subject to the same enforcement as any residential property.
North Charleston regulates short-term rentals and requires operators to obtain a business license. Properties used for short-term rental must comply with zoning, safety, and tax requirements.
North Charleston requires STR operators to collect and remit a local accommodations tax on all short-term rentals. State sales tax also applies. Operators must maintain a city business license.
Short-term rental properties in North Charleston must provide adequate off-street parking for guests. On-street parking must comply with general city parking regulations.
North Charleston treats attached carports as part of the main building body for setback purposes under Article VI of Appendix A, while detached carports are accessory structures that must sit at least three feet from interior lot lines, six feet from other structures, and outside any required front yard.
North Charleston's zoning ordinance addresses accessory dwelling units as accessory structures in residential zones. ADUs must comply with setback, size, and use restrictions.
North Charleston regulates sheds and accessory structures under the zoning ordinance. Sheds must meet setback requirements and may require a permit depending on size.
Converting a garage to living space in North Charleston requires a building permit and must comply with building codes and zoning requirements including maintaining required parking.
South Carolina applies the statewide adopted International Residential Code, including IRC Appendix Q for tiny houses under 400 square feet, providing a uniform construction baseline that local jurisdictions must follow.
North Charleston regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. SC Code §16-17-530 applies.
North Charleston regulates noise under Chapter 15, Article II of the City Code. Excessive noise that disturbs the peace is prohibited, with stricter enforcement during nighttime hours in residential areas.
North Charleston permits construction during standard daytime hours. Construction activity is generally allowed from 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends near residential zones.
North Charleston addresses barking dogs under its animal control ordinances. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance. North Charleston Animal Control handles complaints.
Aircraft noise regulation in South Carolina is preempted by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and FAA regulations. Neither the state nor municipalities may directly regulate aircraft operations, flight paths, or in-flight noise.
North Charleston restricts open burning within city limits. Outdoor burning of trash and yard debris is generally prohibited. Recreational fires in approved containers may be permitted with conditions.
South Carolina law permits the sale and use of most consumer fireworks. North Charleston allows fireworks but restricts their use near certain structures and during fire bans.
North Charleston allows fire pits under certain conditions. Fire pits must be in approved containers, located a safe distance from structures, and attended at all times.
South Carolina regulates LP-gas (propane) storage, transport, and installation under Title 40 Chapter 82. The LP-Gas Board licenses dealers and enforces NFPA 58 standards uniformly statewide, preempting inconsistent local rules.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission has statewide authority to declare wildfire emergencies, issue burn bans, and suppress forest fires. Title 48 designates protected forestland and grants suppression powers across all counties.
North Charleston restricts customer and client traffic to home-based businesses. Home occupations must not generate significant vehicular or pedestrian traffic in residential areas.
North Charleston generally prohibits signage for home-based businesses in residential areas. Home occupations must not alter the residential appearance of the property.
North Charleston permits home-based businesses (home occupations) in residential zones under the zoning ordinance, provided they are clearly secondary to the residential use of the property.
South Carolina's Home-Based Food Production Law allows home producers to make and sell certain non-hazardous foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license. State law establishes uniform statewide requirements.
South Carolina requires family childcare homes serving more than a limited number of unrelated children to register or be licensed by DSS. State law establishes uniform health, safety, and staffing standards statewide.
North Charleston regulates fence heights by zone. In residential areas, front yard fences are limited to 4 feet and rear/side fences to 6 feet. Taller fences may require a variance.
North Charleston may require permits for fence construction depending on height and location. Fences must comply with zoning setback and height requirements.
North Charleston does not require neighbor consent for fence installation on your own property. However, fences on shared property lines may be subject to shared responsibility under South Carolina law.
South Carolina adopts the International Residential Code and International Building Code statewide under Title 6, Chapter 9, requiring uniform pool barrier standards including a minimum 48-inch fence height around residential swimming pools.
Retaining wall construction in South Carolina is governed by the statewide-adopted International Residential Code and International Building Code under SC Code Title 6, Chapter 9, requiring permits and engineering for walls above specified heights.
North Charleston requires dogs to be on a leash or under control at all times when off the owner's property. Running at large is prohibited under the city's animal control ordinances.
North Charleston does not impose breed-specific bans. However, all dogs must be properly licensed, vaccinated, and under owner control. Dangerous dog designations are based on individual behavior.
Beekeeping is generally permitted in North Charleston under South Carolina's bee management laws. Hives must be maintained responsibly and comply with state registration requirements.
South Carolina regulates exotic animal ownership through SCDNR permits. North Charleston prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals as pets in residential areas.
South Carolina prohibits intentional feeding of black bears statewide and restricts baiting of game wildlife under DNR regulations. These rules apply uniformly across the state to protect public safety and wildlife management.
North Charleston requires property owners to maintain grass and vegetation. Grass and weeds exceeding 12 inches are subject to code enforcement action under Chapter 9 of the City Code.
North Charleston requires property owners to maintain trees and prevent hazardous conditions. Trees overhanging public rights-of-way must be trimmed to maintain clearance.
North Charleston water customers are served by Charleston Water System. Outdoor watering may be restricted during droughts under CWS conservation measures.
North Charleston may require permits for removal of certain trees, especially in planned developments and areas with tree protection ordinances.
South Carolina law permits rainwater harvesting statewide without state-level restrictions on residential collection. The state recognizes rainwater as a usable resource and does not require permits for typical residential rain barrels.
North Charleston requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate, per building code requirements.
North Charleston requires swimming pools to meet safety standards including proper fencing, drain covers, and electrical grounding. A building permit is required for pool installation.
Above-ground pools in North Charleston must meet the same safety barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 48 inches may use pool walls as part of the barrier.
South Carolina requires building permits for swimming pools under the statewide adoption of the International Residential Code. The Building Codes Council mandates uniform standards, with local jurisdictions issuing permits and conducting inspections.
North Charleston has significant flood-prone areas and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development in flood zones requires compliance with FEMA regulations and the city's flood damage prevention ordinance.
South Carolina's Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act gives DHEC OCRM exclusive authority over critical areas in the eight coastal counties. State permits preempt local zoning for activities below the high water mark.
South Carolina's Sediment Reduction Act establishes statewide minimum erosion and sediment control standards for construction sites. DHEC enforces uniform technical requirements that apply regardless of local jurisdiction.
South Carolina's Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act establishes statewide minimum standards for land-disturbing activities. DHEC implements the program, with delegated authority to qualifying local governments meeting state criteria.
South Carolina prohibits the sale of marijuana for any purpose, so no licensed dispensaries exist. Local zoning cannot authorize cannabis retail because state law preempts the entire field of controlled substances.
South Carolina state law prohibits cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana for any purpose, including medical and personal home grow. Cities cannot legalize home cultivation under state preemption.
Commercial drone operations in South Carolina are governed by federal FAA Part 107 rules, with state criminal restrictions for prison overflight and surveillance. Local governments cannot regulate flight or commercial operations.
South Carolina state law restricts recreational drone use over correctional facilities and prohibits drone harassment of hunters and anglers. Federal FAA rules govern airspace, but state law adds specific criminal restrictions.
South Carolina preempts local governments from setting minimum wage rates above the federal floor under Section 6-1-130 of the state code.
South Carolina prohibits local governments from mandating paid sick leave or paid family leave benefits on private employers beyond state law.
South Carolina blocks local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances on private employers under broad employment preemption authority.
South Carolina allows concealed carry under permit and, since 2024, lawful permitless carry by eligible adults aged 18 or older.
South Carolina law preempts local governments from regulating firearms, ammunition, components, and related accessories beyond what state law expressly authorizes.
South Carolina permits open carry of handguns by eligible adults under the 2021 Open Carry With Training Act and the 2024 permitless carry law.
South Carolina allows lawful adults to carry a loaded handgun in a private vehicle without a permit under the 2024 constitutional carry expansion of Section 23-31-215.
South Carolina requires every private and public employer in the state to verify the work authorization of new hires using the federal E-Verify program.
South Carolina prohibits any local government or law enforcement agency from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs eviction statewide, allowing termination for nonpayment, lease violations, or end of term without requiring just cause and preempting inconsistent local rules.
South Carolina law expressly prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting rent control ordinances on private residential or commercial property, preempting all local rent regulation statewide.
South Carolina law limits how local zoning can restrict bona fide agricultural operations and farm-related activities on land used for farming.
South Carolina protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when surrounding land uses change under the Right to Farm Act.
South Carolina prohibits local governments from regulating or banning auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar single-use items.
South Carolina law blocks local bans on polystyrene foam food service containers under the auxiliary container preemption statute.
South Carolina preempts local ordinances regulating plastic straws and similar single-use food service items under the auxiliary container statute.
South Carolina law limits homeowner association authority to prohibit solar collectors. The Solar Rights Act and Homeowners Association Act protect residential solar installations from unreasonable HOA restrictions, applying uniformly statewide.
South Carolina requires building and electrical permits for solar photovoltaic installations under statewide-adopted codes. The Distributed Energy Resource Program Act and Energy Freedom Act establish uniform rules for residential solar interconnection and net metering across the state.
South Carolina prohibits sale or distribution of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21 years of age statewide.
South Carolina has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products, and local flavor bans face preemption challenges under state tobacco law.
South Carolina regulates retail sale of vape and electronic smoking devices through state tobacco licensing and youth-access laws under Title 16 and Title 12.