Charleston County BZA approves nine short‑term rental requests, denies pool variance; approves manufactured‑home exception and other variances

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 24 approved a series of land‑use requests across James Island, Johns Island, St. Andrews and East Cooper, including nine short‑term rental special exceptions and one after‑the‑fact variance denial for a proposed pool.

The board opened the publicly noticed hearing with a review of procedures and state law governing quasi‑judicial matters. After staff presentations, applicants and neighbors addressed the panel. The most active debates centered on parking, occupancy limits and neighborhood impacts for short‑term rentals; a proposed in‑ground pool on Johns Island drew the only denial of the night after commissioners found the applicant had not shown the required hardship for a variance.

Why it matters: The BZA decisions permit a number of properties to operate as short‑term rentals (STRs) under Charleston County rules; they also illustrate the board’s emphasis on on‑site parking, property management plans and the county’s standard STRP limited site plan review and noise‑control conditions. A denied pool variance underscores the board’s standard that applicants must demonstrate exceptional circumstances to vary setback rules.

What the board decided (selected items) - Case BZA082500888 (2173 Edisto Ave., James Island, Winchester): Approved a special exception to operate an extended home short‑term rental (property not owner‑occupied). Board members raised concerns about parking and occupancy; the applicant agreed to an amendment limiting occupancy to 6 guests. Approval included the four staff conditions (complete STRP limited site plan review; comply with Article 6.8; limit total…