Hardscaping and landscaping on the Isle of Palms.

New hardscape has to drain. City code Sec. 5-4-13 says all newly installed hard landscaping in the SR-1, SR-2 and SR-3 residential districts must be pervious. That covers a walkway, a driveway, a pool surround and a ground-level patio. It decides the paver and, more to the point, the base under it.

Wild Dunes is zoned as a planned development, so we ask the city which rule applies inside the gates. Every contractor also needs an Isle of Palms business license before starting, and the permit application carries the signed contract between you and us.

Wild Dunes does not like fences. The community's Architectural Review Board standards (revised March 30, 2026) say fences between houses will generally not be approved, and perimeter fences or fences from the street to the house front will not be, outside neighborhoods where decorative fencing is part of the architectural theme.

What can be approved is a small fenced area beside the house for children or pets: no more than 450 square feet, no taller than 48 inches, in black aluminum. Pool fences are judged case by case. Chain link and PVC are refused outright.

Turf in Wild Dunes has two openings. The 2021 standards banned artificial turf. The current ones allow it in two places only: behind the house inside the fence of an in-ground pool, or behind the house inside an approved child or pet fence. Either way the board wants a product sample and the installation method first.

Coverage, trees and patios. On Wild Dunes lots over 6,000 square feet, 35 percent of the lot is the coverage limit, and a brick or stone paver driveway or walk counts at half its area.

Patios need board approval and a stake-out first, at least five feet from a side line, and back from the rear by half the lot's rear setback, never less than ten feet. Taking out or pruning a limb six inches or thicker needs approval before the saw comes out. The board meets on the second and fourth Wednesday.

Hours and lights. City and community agree on the working day: 7:30 to 6 on weekdays, 9 to 4 on Saturday, never on Sunday. From May 1 to October 31 the sea turtle rules apply: decorative and recreational lights that can be seen from the beach are shielded or off after sunset, and floodlights are not allowed where they can be seen from the beach.

Rules checked in October 2026 against: City of Isle of Palms code of ordinances, Sec. 5-4-13 · City of Isle of Palms, What Can I Build flowchart (2020) · City of Isle of Palms, building permits and work hours · City of Isle of Palms, business licenses · Wild Dunes Community Association, ARB Standards (rev. March 30, 2026) · Wild Dunes Community Association, architectural review. Boards and councils change them, so we confirm the current text for your address before quoting.