City of North Charleston fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of North Charleston? Yes. The City of North Charleston requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of North Charleston (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $30 non-refundable filing fee for valuations of $1,000 or less; tiered fee above that (Permit Fees page) source
- Side and rear yards
- 8 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft in front yard of R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 districts source
- Corner lots
- Zoning Regulations refer to diagrams for corner lots; no separate written height; fences may not block visibility (Sec. 4-13) source
- Distance from lot line
- No fence-specific setback; structures must stay within the buildable area and out of required yards (Sec. 4-7). Fences cannot block visibility under Sec. 4-13. source
- Good side faces
- Finished (smooth) side must face outward. source
- Not allowed
- Rope, string, hog wire, wire fabric, broken glass, paper, plywood, and metal or plastic panels (chain link excepted); barbed/razor wire only where the enclosed area is commercial or industrial. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of North Charleston
Steps based on northcharleston.org — fence permit
- Decide whether a contractor or the owner will do the work (a hired contractor must apply for the permit).
- Gather the proposal/contract, site plan, fence height and material, and any HOA approval.
- Submit through the City online permit portal and pay the fees.
- A zoning inspector inspects the property before the permit is issued.
- Post the permit card in a permit box where visible; work cannot start until the permit is issued and posted.
- Schedule inspections online (7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Mon-Fri); a final zoning inspection is required.
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- $30 filing fee for valuations of $1,000 or less (non-refundable); tiered above; $50 re-inspection fee
- Review time
- Zoning inspector inspection before issuance
- Inspections
- Final zoning inspection
- Permit good for
- 6 months; expires if no inspection activity
Who to contact
- Phone
- 843-554-5700
- Address
- 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406
Contact from northcharleston.org — fence permit
What to submit
- Proposal or contract with scope of work and material/labor costs
- Site plan showing property lines, structures, setbacks, trees 10 in. dbh or larger, and the fence location
- Fence height and material type
- HOA/civic league/architectural review approval letter if applicable
- Easements and encroachment permits where applicable
- Landlord consent if applicable
Other rules to know
- The City page says a contractor hired to build or repair a fence must apply for a permit; it does not state the rule for owner-built fences.
- Working without a permit: penalty equal to triple the permit fees.
- Zoning inspector inspects the property before the permit is issued; post the permit card visibly.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of North Charleston, SC?
Yes. The City of North Charleston requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of North Charleston?
Side and rear yards: 8 ft. Front (street) yard: 4 ft in front yard of R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 districts. Corner lots: Zoning Regulations refer to diagrams for corner lots; no separate written height; fences may not block visibility (Sec. 4-13).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of North Charleston?
No fence-specific setback; structures must stay within the buildable area and out of required yards (Sec. 4-7). Fences cannot block visibility under Sec. 4-13.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of North Charleston?
Finished (smooth) side must face outward.
How much is a fence permit in the City of North Charleston?
$30 non-refundable filing fee for valuations of $1,000 or less; tiered fee above that (Permit Fees page).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of North Charleston?
Decide whether a contractor or the owner will do the work (a hired contractor must apply for the permit). Gather the proposal/contract, site plan, fence height and material, and any HOA approval. Submit through the City online permit portal and pay the fees. A zoning inspector inspects the property before the permit is issued. Post the permit card in a permit box where visible; work cannot start until the permit is issued and posted. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of North Charleston (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of North Charleston?
Building & Permit Inspections. Phone 843-554-5700.
Sources
Summarized from the City of North Charleston's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of North Charleston? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.