Hardscaping and landscaping in downtown Charleston.

Paving is reviewed like a building. The policy asks for every paving and hardscape material to be shown on the site plan and the choices sent to preservation staff.

It says paving should be kept to what a driveway needs plus a limited amount for recreational use, and that in no case should the whole unbuilt part of a property be paved with impervious surface. Most of this is decided by staff, without a full board hearing, unless the property sits in the top two categories of the City's architectural inventory.

Asphalt and plain concrete are out for driveways. In the historic districts the policy does not allow an asphalt or plain poured concrete residential driveway. Gravel is permitted on a limited basis and no larger than number 7 stone, with an apron to keep it out of the storm drains. Pervious paving is preferred, plantation mix is preferred to gravel, and concrete is not to be stamped to pass for brick or stone.

Walls and fences can go higher here than elsewhere in the city. The zoning ordinance allows a fence or freestanding wall up to seven feet, with piers to eight, on property under the board's jurisdiction. Elsewhere in the city the limit on residential property is six.

On a corner lot nothing between three and fifteen feet tall may stand within fifteen feet of the corner. A fence permit needs a plat showing the property lines, and the board's own application when the address is in its purview.

A grand tree sets the edge of the paving. The City protects any tree 24 inches across or more, pines and sweetgums aside. New impervious surface has to stay twelve feet clear of one, plus a foot for every three inches of trunk over 24, unless the Zoning Administrator approves special construction methods. A 36 inch live oak means sixteen feet. On a downtown lot that can decide where the driveway goes.

Turf has its own line in the policy. Artificial turf in the board's districts has to be installed so it drains, with no visible seams, kept in good order where it can be seen from the street, and approved from a physical sample. Digging in a street or sidewalk needs a permit from the city engineer.

Rules checked in October 2026 against: City of Charleston, BAR Policy Statement for Hardscaping (December 2025) · City of Charleston zoning ordinance (Secs. 54-232, 54-301, 54-327, 54-330, 54-351) · City of Charleston, Board of Architectural Review · City of Charleston, permit questions (fences) · City of Charleston, tree removal information. Boards and councils change them, so we confirm the current text for your address before quoting.