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BZA approves short-term rental at Turns Nest Road after owner agrees to neighbor fence
Summary
The Board approved an owner-occupied short-term rental at 1648 Terns Nest Road on James Island, permitting four bedrooms, six parking spots and up to 144 rental days per year after the owner submitted a neighbor letter and agreed to arrange a privacy fence.
The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception allowing the owner-occupied property at 1648 Terns Nest Road on James Island to operate as a short-term rental with four bedrooms and a maximum occupancy of eight guests.
Staff told the board the property is in a low-density manufactured housing subdivision (MHS) zoning district, contains a four-bedroom single-family home built in 1997, and that the owner had obtained a limited home rental permit in January 2025 and had rented the property for about 50 days through June. Staff recommended conditions including completion of a STRP limited site review, compliance with Article 6.8, and a cap on short-term rental days at 144 per calendar year (including existing LHR days). The property would provide six parking spaces pursuant to ordinance requirements.
Applicant John Ori said he and his wife live on-site, own local businesses and have hosted many guests without incident; he shared that neighbors had raised concerns but then provided a follow-up letter from Brad and Mary Davis saying they were reassured after talking with Ori and that Ori had agreed to help with the cost of a privacy fence. Ori submitted copies of that letter into the record during the hearing.
A board member noted two letters in opposition and asked staff about noise and fencing options; staff confirmed there were two written objections and said the board could add conditions such as fencing if it wished. A motion to approve, which included the four staff-recommended conditions, carried unanimously.
Why it matters: the decision allows the property owner to expand short-term rental use while formalizing conditions (site review and noise compliance) and documenting neighbor communications intended to reduce future conflicts.
Staff will send next-step permit information to the owner within ten days; the board’s written findings and staff report are part of the public record.
