Comprehensive Plans

Planning Legislation in South Carolina

The authority for local governments to undertake planning and to adopt zoning and land development regulations is granted by the General Assembly. The General Assembly authorized municipal planning and zoning in 1924 and county planning in 1942. The Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 replaced the 1967 Act, repealed all of the above statutes and required all local comprehensive plans, zoning and land development ordinances conform to the 1994 Act by December 31, 1994. The 1994 Act, with subsequent amendments, is codified at S.C. Code Title 6, Chapter 29. 

The Town’s Comprehensive Plan

The Town's overarching role in development derives from the Comprehensive Plan (also known as a master plan or land-use plan), which is designed to guide the future actions of the community. It presents a vision for the future, by compiling current data and conditions, long-range goals, and specific strategies to govern development, redevelopment, and the use of property within the community. Specifically, it covers the pattern and intensity of land use, the provision of public facilities and services, economic development, housing availability, resiliency along with natural and cultural resources. The Comprehensive Plan which is adopted by ordinance is reviewed every five years and updated every ten years. It was first approved in 1994 and the last update occurred in 2015.

The Town is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan. Please visit Kiawah Next for more information.