Charleston, SC Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Charleston Zoning Ordinance Article 10 creates the AG-8 (Agricultural) and AG-S (Agricultural-Special) districts, both "intended for rural agriculture areas of the City of Charleston," with AG-S also allowing compatible light industrial uses (Sec. 54-1001). 2 in Sec. 54-1005 sets out permitted principal uses: crop production, greenhouse and hydroponic food-crop growing, and horticultural or nursery production (capped at 25 percent retail sales of gross sales) are allowed by right ("A") in both districts, as are apiculture, animal aquaculture, and horse or other animal production. Commercial and private stables and bona fide forestry operations, including lumber and planing mills, are also permitted outright.

Concentrated animal feeding operations and commercial feed lots require a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals-Zoning, and wineries are allowed only as a conditional use subject to zoning-administrator sign-off (Sec. 54-1006, Sec. 54-1007). 2 is expressly prohibited in these districts. Dimensional standards under Sec. 54-1003 cap density at one dwelling unit per eight acres of high ground, require a minimum one-acre lot and 135-foot lot width, and set building setbacks of 50 feet front/street side, 15 feet interior side, and 30 feet rear, plus a 50-foot OCRM Critical Line setback, with a 35-foot maximum building height and 30 percent maximum lot occupancy.

Waterfront agricultural parcels are additionally subject to the waterfront development standards of Sec. 54-1010 and the critical line buffer rules of Sec. 1. Accessory agricultural structures, including barns, are allowed on any AG-zoned parcel even without a primary residence (Sec. 54-1008).