City, County and State Historic Preservation Rules & Regulations in SC

Historic Preservation
Rules & Regulations

About This Resource

Historic Preservation can be a complex and challenging endeavor with city, county, state and even federal regulations that need to be considered. In an effort to simplify the process, we’ve developed the state’s first comprehensive list of local, state and federal regulations and requirements that govern historic preservation projects in South Carolina.

Use the search tool to explore the regulations (and resources) that govern preservation projects in your region. Search by your geographic location or by type of regulation. Learn about concepts like the design review process, zoning ordinances, historic tax credits and more. Before you start a project, find out what you need to know here.

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Greenwood Proposed Uptown Overlay District Amendment

The purpose of the Uptown Greenwood Overlay District (O-UP) is to promote harmonious and compatible development within the Uptown Greenwood Central Business District which complements the character and charm of this unique mixed use center.

Hampton Heights (Spartanburg) Historic District Design Guidelines

Residential Rehabilitation guidelines to help property owners in Hampton Heights preserve the character of their historic residential buildings.

Hazardous Waste Management Facilities

The regulation stipulates that hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities will be prohibited in areas where they will “adversely impact an archaeological site as determined by the State Historic Preservation Officer and the State Archaeologist or a historic site as determined by the State Historic Preservation Officer.”

Horry County Preservation Ordinance

An ordinance to provide special property assessments to rehabilitated historic property.

Horry County Preservation Plan

The purpose of the Horry County Preservation Plan is to enable government officials and citizens to effectively protect historical resources in light of growth, environmental changes and an inexact future. The Preservation Plan identifies the County’s historical assets and challenges for the future while making recommendations to County Council about where preservation efforts need to be focused in unincorporated Horry County and properties for consideration to the Horry County Historic Property Register

Horry County Zoning Ordinance

See Article XII - Historic Preservation Commission for historic property inventory, process for granting COA and COE, design guidelines, and designation of historic properties.

James Island Comprehensive Plan

See section 3.4 for cultural resources element.

Kershaw County Rehabilitated Historic Properties Regulations

See section 5 (V) for historic properties.

Kingstree Historic Preservation Code of Ordinances

The Historic Preservation chapter of Kingstree's Code of Ordinances includes the powers and duties of the Architectural Review Board, designation process of historic properties, design guidelines, and the city's historic property inventory.

Lancaster Special Tax Assessment for Rehabilitated Historic Properties

A special tax assessment is created for eligible rehabilitated historic properties or low and moderate income rental property for a period of twenty (20) years equal to the assessed value of the property at the time of preliminary certification.

Laurens County Rehabilitated Historic Properties Ordinances

A special tax assessment is created for eligible rehabilitated historic properties based upon the assessed value of the property at the time of preliminary certification. The said special tax assessment shall be for a period of at least two years but not longer than 20 years, and shall otherwise be determined by vote of a majority of the members of the Laurens County Council then seated, based upon the benefits to be gained by the residents and taxpayers of Laurens County.

Lexington Architectural and Appearance Design Manual

In order to preserve and enhance the rural, cultural, economic and historic character of the Town of Lexington, by providing detailed review of the design, layout, visual appearance, aesthetic character and economic value of commercial and industrial developments that have a substantial impact upon the character of the Town and upon traffic, utilities and services therein.

Lexington Historic Special Overlay District

or the purpose of the ordinances of the Town of Lexington, historic sites and structures include those that have a Historic Special Overlay District. Properties that have a Historic Special Overlay District designation shall be governed by the Town of Lexington's Historic Preservation Ordinance.

List of State Preservation Laws

South Carolina Department of Archives + History (SCDAH) compiled list of state laws pertaining to historic preservation.

Local Accomodations Tax Act

One of the uses of the revenues generated by accommodations tax is “tourism-related cultural, recreational, or historic facilities.”

Map of Columbia’s Historic District Zoning Overlays

Map of Historic Overlay Districts in Columbia.

Marlboro County Special Property Tax Assessment Program For Rehabilitated Historic Properties Ordinance (#829)

An ordinance to encourage the restoration of historic properties.

McCormick County Design Standards

Design standards for McCormick county.

Oakwood Court (Columbia) Architectural Conservation District

Design Guidelines are criteria and standards that the Design/Development Review Commission must consider in determining the appropriateness of proposed work within a historic district.

Oconee County Ordinance Establishing “Cultural and Historic Preservation” Chapter

Ordinance establishing "Cultural and Historic Preservation" chapter to Oconee County's Code of Ordinances.

Oconee Protection of Historic Memorials Ordinance

It is the purpose of this article to facilitate the preservation of historical memorials, as defined below, which are located within the unincorporated boundaries of Oconee County, South Carolina.

Old Aiken Design Guidelines

Design guidelines for Old Aiken.

Old Shandon/Lower Waverly (Columbia) Protection Area District Guidelines

Design Guidelines are criteria and standards that the Design/Development Review Commission must consider in determining the appropriateness of proposed work within a historic district. The goal of these guidelines and of the district is to maintain this relationship, not to require restoration to a certain historical period. This task must be accomplished with an appreciation of the diversity of the area, which is critical to its character. Because of this diversity, these guidelines must be administered in a flexible manner so that the historic integrity and feel can be maintained with minimal technical restrictions.

Olde North Charleston Historic District and Neighborhood Conservation District

In an effort to preserve the character of historic neighborhoods and prevent the loss of historic structures, the city is implementing both an historic district and a neighborhood conservation district. The goal of these districts is to maintain and protect the structures that depict an important part of the history of the City of North Charleston's development. This ordinance will serve to preserve, conserve, and enhance the character, function, and environment of Olde North Charleston.

Orangeburg Comprehensive Plan – Chapter 7

See Chapter 7 on Land Use & Development.

Orangeburg Zoning Ordinance

See 24-6.2 on Historical Conservation Districts.

Pickens County Eligible Rehabilitation Ordinance

See section 36-176 to 178 for the special tax assessment created for eligible rehabilitated historic properties.

Preservation and Protection of Abandoned and Unmaintained Cemeteries

Authorizes counties and municipalities to preserve and protect any cemetery within their jurisdictions that the counties or municipalities determine has been abandoned. Authorizes counties or municipalities to spend public funds or use inmate labor for these cemeteries.

Protection of State Owned or Leased Historic Properties

Establishes a review process for projects involving historic properties owned or leased by the State of South Carolina that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The law encourages the preservation of state-owned and leased National Register properties by establishing a consultation process between state agencies and the State Historic Preservation Office to incorporate historic preservation concerns with the needs of state projects.

Richland County Design/Development Review Commission Rules and Regulations

Design/development review rules and regulation for the city of Columbia.

Richland County Historic Preservation Review Guide

This guide offers a look into the process in obtaining a Certificate of Design Approval for historic property owners.

Richland County Landmark District Guidelines

The Landmark District Also known as the Robert Mills Historic District, and named for the Robert Mills House (Ainsley Hall House) at 1616 Blanding Street, is a collection of houses once owned by prominent members of Columbia. Although prominent members of Columbia continue to occupy the district, today these structures serve as their offices, rather than residences. Nonetheless, the district retains a mixture of architectural styles pointing to its numerous phases of development.

Richland County Rehabilitated Historic Properties Ordinance

A special tax assessment is created for eligible rehabilitated historic properties for a period of twenty (20) years equal to the assessed value of the property at the time of preliminary certification.

SC Access to Grave Sites on Private Land (S.C. Code of Laws, Section 27-43-310)

This law grants family members and descendants the right to access cemeteries and grave sites on private property, with written notice provided to the property owner. It allows family and descendants to access the cemetery/grave site for lawful burials, visiting graves, maintaining the grave sites, or conducting genealogy research.

Seminary Ridge (Columbia) Protection Area Guidelines

Design Guidelines are criteria and standards that the Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) must consider in determining the appropriateness of proposed work within a historic district.

South Carolina Mining Act

Mandates that reclamation plans must include "proposed methods to limit significant adverse effects on significant cultural or historic sites." The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) consults with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Division of Mining and Solid Waste Management concerning the effect projects requiring mining permits may have on historic properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

South Carolina State Board of Review

Responsibility for determining which properties within a state meet the National Register criteria for listing lies with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the South Carolina State Board of Review (Review Board). Before any National Register nominations are submitted to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, they must be approved by this board, whose membership includes professionals in the fields of architecture, architectural history, history, archaeology, and other related disciplines. If a property meets the National Register criteria, the Review Board recommends it for nomination.

Special Local Property Tax Assessments for Rehabilitated Historic Properties and Low and Moderate Income Rental Property

Allows counties and municipalities to adopt ordinances providing special property tax assessments to encourage the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Local governments may place a temporary ceiling on the assessed value of a historic building that has been rehabilitated. Project work must be approved as appropriate for the historic property by a reviewing authority and meet a minimum expenditure threshold set by the local government between 20 and 100 percent of the fair market value. Includes multiple Cod of Laws: 4-9-195, 5-21-140, and 12-120 to 126.

Town of Cheraw Special Property Tax Assessments for Rehabilitated Historic Properties

Ordinance on special property tax assessments for rehabilitated historic properties.

Town of Lexington Historic Preservation Review Board

To implement the provisions of §§ 152.02.01 through 152.02.24, there is established a Board of Historical Preservation Review, hereinafter referred to as the Board, for the Town of Lexington consisting of seven (7) members. Members shall be appointed by the Town of Lexington Council upon the recommendation of the Board.

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