09/14/2026 - Charleston County Planning Commission

The Charleston County Planning Commission met on September 14, 2026, to discuss issues related to restrictive covenants affecting subdivision applications within certain neighborhoods. The meeting focused on concerns that current county procedures relying on owner-signed affidavits are insufficient to prevent subdivisions that violate recorded neighborhood covenants. Residents and legal experts highlighted cases where subdivisions proceeded despite covenants prohibiting such actions, leading to costly legal disputes. The commission discussed potential procedural changes including requiring notarized affidavits, public posting of subdivision applications, mandatory title searches, and legal opinions to verify the absence or enforceability of restrictive covenants before permit approval. Staff acknowledged limitations in enforcing third-party covenants and agreed to explore these suggestions further, aiming to present recommendations at the next meeting. No specific contract awards or budget allocations were made during this session, but the discussion may influence future county planning and permitting policies.