Unincorporated Charleston County has no countywide dark-sky or sea-turtle lighting ordinance, per SC DNR's April 2024 list. Instead, the coastal barrier-island towns and communities set the beach-lighting rules that protect nesting sea turtles.
The South Carolina DNR's official 2024 catalog of sea-turtle lighting ordinances lists Charleston County itself as None, meaning the county government has not adopted a countywide beachfront-lighting rule. On the county's barrier islands the local jurisdiction governs: the Town of Isle of Palms enforces Sea Turtle Outdoor Lighting Regulations (Ch. 4, Art. 1, Sec. 5-4-17); Folly Beach prohibits beach-illuminating lighting May 1-October 31 (Ord. 151.45); and the unincorporated community of Dewees Island sets Wildlife Outdoor Lighting Requirements through its building requirements and POA. Because loggerhead hatchlings navigate by the horizon, these rules require shielded, low, long-wavelength lighting near the beach during nesting season (roughly May-October). Elsewhere in the unincorporated county, no dark-sky lighting standard applies.
Beach-lighting violations are enforced by the island town or community that adopted the ordinance; the county does not cite a countywide lighting rule because none exists.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
North Charleston, SC
North Charleston regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. SC Code §16-17-530 applies.
North Charleston, SC
North Charleston addresses barking dogs under its animal control ordinances. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance. North Charles...
North Charleston, SC
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 P...
North Charleston, SC
North Charleston regulates noise under Chapter 15, Article II of the City Code. Excessive noise that disturbs the peace is prohibited, with stricter enforcem...
North Charleston, SC
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 locat...
North Charleston, SC
North Charleston requires driveways to meet certain standards. Parking is only allowed on paved or approved surfaces, and vehicles may not block sidewalks or...
See how North Charleston's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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