Charleston County BZA delays short-term rental case for Riverland Drive after applicant no‑show

The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 8 postponed consideration of a request to establish an Extended Home Rental at 4 To 6 Riverland Drive on James Island after the applicant did not appear at the hearing. The board, chaired by William Ray, moved the case to the end of the docket and said it would push the matter 90 days if the applicant remained absent. Staff presented facts about the property, saying it is a single‑family residence in an R‑4 zoning district with three bedrooms and a converted detached accessory dwelling unit. Staff said the owner-occupied property previously held limited home rental permits and requested approval to expand to an Extended Home Rental (EHR) with up to 144 aggregate rental days per year, a maximum of seven guests, and five parking spaces in compliance with county regulations. The county planner summarized staff recommendations should the board approve the request: completion of the Short Term Rental Program limited site plan review prior to a zoning permit; compliance with Article 6.8 of the zoning code; a 144‑day cap per calendar year (including days counted as LHR); and the property owner’s responsibility to ensure tenant compliance with the county noise ordinance. Board members asked whether staff had contact information for the applicant and, after confirming the applicant had not called, voted to move the case to the end of the docket and to defer it 90 days if the applicant remained absent. No testimony was taken and no decision on the merits was made. The postponement leaves the county’s existing short‑term rental limits in place for the property until the board hears the case again. The board noted that final decisions are mailed within 10 working days of a hearing and appealed decisions must be filed in the South Carolina circuit court within 30 days. The board clerk will notify the applicant and neighbors of the new hearing date; staff retains the case file and the materials presented on Sept. 8.