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BZA approves several short-term rental requests and an owner-occupied extended rental across James Island and Charleston
Summary
During a long June 3 hearing the Charleston County BZA approved multiple special exceptions to allow short-term or extended home rentals at properties on James Island, James Island/Goat Island and South Grimball Road, subject to standard site-plan review and permit conditions.
The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals on June 3 approved a string of requests to establish extended short-term rentals and limited home-rental uses at several properties across James Island and nearby Goat Island, and approved one owner-occupied limited home rental, all subject to the department—site-plan review and conditions set by staff.
Key approvals at the June 3 meeting: - 2173 Welch Avenue (James Island): The Board approved a special exception for an "extended home rental" (short-term rental) at a two-bedroom property that the applicant intends to use primarily for corporate housing and when available as a short-term rental limited to 144 days per calendar year. The applicant said corporate housing leases would typically be 30 days or longer; the BZA approved staff conditions, including completion of the short-term rental limited site-plan review and compliance with noise rules.
- 2301 Captain John Hutt Road (Goat Island): The board approved a special exception for a three-bedroom property on Goat Island to be used as an extended home rental; the applicant said guests would arrive by boat and that parking demands would be minimal because access is by water. Staff recommended and the board included standard conditions (site-plan review, compliance with Article 6.8, a 144-day aggregate limit and noise compliance).
- 1843 South Grimball Road (James Island, Middleton family): The Board approved an extended home rental application for a renovated family home. The owner said the property has been in the family for decades, the family renovated the structure and will use rental income to cover maintenance; neighbors provided letters of support. The board attached staff-recommended conditions including site-plan review, Article 6.8 compliance and the 144-day limit.
- 2046 Soledree Road (James Island, owner-occupied limited home rental): The board approved an owner-occupied limited home rental application; the applicant said the request would allow episodic family use and generate income for care of aging parents. The owner previously held a limited-home rental permit that lapsed; the BZA approved renewal under the countys short-term rental/limited-home rules with the usual pre-permit site-plan review and noise compliance requirements.
Board members repeatedly emphasized that approvals were conditioned on county site-plan review and permit processing; several members noted parking and access issues are handled through the site-plan and permit stage, and neighbors were encouraged to report specific violations to county code enforcement if problems arise. The boards short-term-rental approvals were unanimous except where noted in the transcript minutes.
Why it matters: Charleston County continues to process numerous short-term and extended home rental applications; the BZA approvals show the countys approach to allowing rental income while preserving neighbor protections through site-plan review, occupancy limits and noise rules.
Speakers (select): Justin Hetherington (applicant, Welch Avenue); Benjamin Farmory (Goat Island applicant); Dr. Stuart Middleton (applicant, South Grimball Road); Art Wilder (applicant/owner-occupant, Soledree Road); Mr. Ziegler and Ms. Working (county staff) ; multiple neighbors who commented in support or with questions about parking and safety.
Authorities cited: Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations, Article 6.8 (short-term and limited home rental rules) ; standard BZA procedural rules.
Actions: Motions to approve each special exception were made and carried; staff conditions attached included: completion of the short-term rental limited site-plan review prior to zoning permit approval, compliance with Article 6.8, the 144-day aggregate limit per calendar year for non-owner-occupied properties, and ensuring tenant compliance with the Charleston County noise ordinance. Board follow-up: staff to send final written decisions within 10 business days and monitor compliance through permit processes.
Provenance (excerpt): "The applicant and property owner ... are requesting a special exception to establish a short term rental property ... The property is 0.16 acres and contains a single family residence with 2 bedrooms... The property will serve 2 distinct but complimentary purposes: corporate housing and short term rental..."
