(A) Density. DENSITY refers to the number of dwelling units per unit of land area. Density is calculated by dividing the number of dwelling units on a site by the gross area (in acres) of highland (including retention ponds) of the site on which the dwelling units are located. The number of dwelling units allowed on a site is based on the presumption that all other applicable standards of this chapter shall be met. The maximum density established for a district is not a guarantee that such densities may be obtained, nor shall the inability of a development to achieve the stated maximum density be considered sufficient justification for varying or otherwise adjusting other density, intensity, or dimensional standards of this chapter.
(B) Lot area.
(1) Measurement. LOT AREA refers to the horizontal land area within lot lines, including retention ponds.
(2) Exceptions. No zoning permit, building permit, or development approval may be issued for a lot that does not meet the minimum lot area requirements of this chapter except in the following cases:
(b) Utilities using land or unoccupied buildings covering less than 1,000 square feet of site area shall be exempt from minimum lot area standards.
(3) Absence of sewer or water. In the absence of public water or public sewer, no zoning permit or building permit shall be issued until the lot meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and the State Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
(C) Setbacks. SETBACKS refer to the unobstructed, unoccupied open area between the furthermost projection of a structure and the property line of the lot on which the structure is located, except as modified by the standards of this section.
(1) Exceptions to setbacks. Every part of a required setback must be open and unobstructed from the ground to the sky except as set out in this division.
(a) Trees, shrubbery, or other landscape features may be located within any required setback; however, they shall be selected for site specific conditions. Plant material to be located adjacent to public drainage easements and rights-of- way shall be selected and placed not to impede future access. Additionally, vegetation planted within utility easements shall be selected and sited to minimize pruning for future maintenance and clearance of such utilities. The Zoning Administrator may require modifications (substitutions and relocation) of plant material on proposed landscape plans when necessary to ensure access and ease of maintenance to any easements and rights-of-way and to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.
(b) 1. Fences and walls may be located within any required setback, provided that in residential, office, and commercial districts no fence, wall, or hedge shall exceed:
a. Four feet in height when located within any front or street side setback with the exception of chain link chain link fences, which can be six feet in height; or
b. Eight feet in height when located in an interior side or rear setback.
2. In all zoning districts, fences, hedges, and walls may be located within any required setback, provided that no fence, wall, or hedge shall obstruct the view of vehicular access to any roadway between three and ten feet in height above grade. For the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, in residential zoning districts, an unobstructed vision clearance triangle shall be maintained along intersections of residential driveways with adjacent roadways. The vision clearance triangle shall be formed by the connection of a perpendicular line measuring 15 feet from the point of intersection at the edge of the travelway into the driveway and a 15-foot parallel line away from the point of intersection along the roadway (see Figure 153.066.1). Residential driveways along roadways with a classification of collector or higher may be subject to a greater distance of measurement.
(c) Driveways may be located in front and side setbacks.
(d) Sidewalks may be located within any required setback.
(e) Utility lines, wires, and associated structures, such as power poles, may be located within any required setback.
(f) Uncovered porches, uncovered steps to building entrances, uncovered patio decks, and uncovered balconies may extend up to five feet into any required front, rear, or street side setback.
(g) Openwork fire balconies and fire escapes may extend up to five feet into any required side setback.
(h) Sills, belt courses, cornices, buttresses, eaves, and other architectural features may extend up to two feet into any required setback.
(i) Chimneys and flues may extend up to two feet into any required setback.
(j) Satellite dish antennas may be placed in required rear setbacks.
(k) Mechanical equipment, including heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment may be extended up to five feet into required side or rear setbacks in all zoning districts.
(2) Contextual setbacks. Notwithstanding the front setback requirements of the underlying zoning district, the front building line of any structure or addition to a structure may be as close to the street as the front building line of a structure located on any lot that is immediately adjacent to the subject lot. If the subject lot is located between two developed lots, the front building line of the structure that is set back further from the street shall apply to the subject lot.
(3) Setback reductions. Where the front, interior, side, and rear setbacks of the underlying zoning district reduces the buildable width of a lot to less than 40 feet, the Zoning Administrator shall be authorized to reduce the required setbacks as much as necessary. However, no setback reduction granted by the Planning/Zoning Department shall be for more than 15 feet per side.
(4) Front setbacks on narrow streets. Where a lot abuts a dedicated street (that has been accepted for street maintenance) with a right-of-way width of less than 50 feet, the required front setback shall be measured from the center line of the right-of-way, provided all building code and fire/safety requirements are met.
(5) Setbacks on corner and double-frontage lots. On corner and double-frontage lots, front setback standards will apply to each lot line that borders a street. The remaining lot lines will be subject to side setback standards. There is no rear lot line.
(6) Reduction for public purpose. When an existing setback is affected because of conveyance to a federal, state, or local government for a public purpose and the remaining setback is at least 50% of the required minimum setback for the district in which it is located, then that remaining setback will be deemed to satisfy the minimum setback standards of this chapter.
(7) Front setbacks on narrow ingress/egress easements. Where a lot abuts an ingress/egress easement (that has not been accepted for street maintenance) with a width of less than 50 feet, and is used as a primary access point to the lot as indicated on an approved plat recorded prior to October 18, 2012 (with dashed or solid lines), the required front setback shall be measured from the center line of the easement, provided all building code and fire/safety requirements are met. There shall be a minimum 25- foot setback between the edge of the easement to the front of any structure.
(D) Building height.
(1) In general. BUILDING HEIGHT refers to the vertical distance between the base flood elevation and:
(a) The average height level between the eaves and ridge line of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof;
(b) The highest point of a mansard roof; or
(c) The highest point of the coping of a flat roof.
Figure 153.066.2
Building Height
Building Height
(2) Fences or walls. Height shall be measured from ground level on the higher side of the fence or wall.
(3) Exceptions to height limits. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to any of the following:
(a) Farm buildings in any agricultural zoning (A) district;
(b) Electrical power transmission lines;
(c) Belfries, cupolas, spires, domes, monuments, flagpoles, chimneys, decorative fence post caps not to exceed 25% of the fence height, radio/television receiving antennas, or chimney flues not for human habitation; or
(d) Bulkhead, elevator, water tank, or any other similar structure or necessary mechanical appurtenance extending above the roof of any building, if such structure does not occupy more than 33% of the area of the roof.
(E) Building coverage. BUILDING COVERAGE refers to the area of a lot covered by buildings (principal and accessory) or roofed areas, as measured along the outside wall at ground level, and including all projections, other than open porches, fire escapes, canopies, and the first two feet of a roof overhang.
(Ord. 2012-06, § 4.2, passed 10-18-2012; Ord. 2013-02, passed 4-18-2013; Ord. 2023-04, passed 5-18-2023)