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

Historic Preservation
Rules & Regulations

Rules, Regulations & Requirements

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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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.

Rehabilitated Historic Properties Ordinance

It is the purpose of this ordinance to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties; promote community development and redevelopment; encourage sound community planning; and promote the general health, safety, and welfare of the community.

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.

Rehabilitated Historic Properties Ordinances

A special tax assessment is created for eligible rehabilitated historic properties for a period of up to 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 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.

Special Property Tax Assessment Program for Rehabilitated Historic Properties

A special tax assessment is hereby created wherein real property that has complied with all provisions of the Bailey Bill Program shall receive a property tax assessment for such real property and any improvements thereon that is based upon the fair market value of such property during the year that preliminary certification of the historic rehabilitation of such property is granted. In order to be eligible to receive the special assessment, a property must undergo a historic rehabilitation that adheres to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, together with the Design Guidelines for Historic Districts in Walterboro.

Special Tax Assessment for Rehabilitated Historic Properties

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

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.

Town Center District Ordinance

To encourage the retention of the visual and historical integrity of the district while promoting commercial enterprise and protecting property value. The Town Center District is the heart of St. George. The downtown area has historically been and currently is the central area for shopping and services for both the residents of the town and surrounding areas. The Town Center District and its businesses are easily accessible by vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. A mixture of uses that respect the existing structures, especially those with historic significance, in scale and use are appropriate for this district. See section 12, pg. 54.

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.

University Architectural Conservation 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. These guidelines are intended to support the desire of the neighborhood to preserve and protect the essential character and design of structures and natural features in this exceptionally historical district in order to maintain an environment that has been aesthetically pleasing and environmentally attractive for well over a century.

Wales Garden Architectural Conservation 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.

Walterboro Historic Overlay District Map

Map of Walterboro's Historic Overlay District.

Waverly Protection Area District 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.

West Ashley Overlay District Ordinance

It is the goal of the West Ashley Overlay District in the City of North Charleston to preserve and engage the significant natural and historic features of the district in a way that meshes harmoniously with the surrounding landscapes along the road and the Ashley River and to ensure that the impacts of economic development do not negatively affect the feel of a seamless corridor along the entirety of Ashley River Road.

West Gervais Street Historic Commercial District Guidelines

The purpose of these guidelines is to enable property owners within the district to utilize a common framework to retain the historic character of the area and to construct new buildings that complement the existing built environment. The goals are to continue the successful adaptive reuse of the area while minimizing impact on historic resources and to allow new buildings to enhance the pedestrian experience, reinforce the characteristics of the area, and complement the existing scale and patterns in the district.

Whaley 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.

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