Charleston County Property Question

**Goin Coastal** · 04-18-2022, 05:33 PM

If one were to aquire about a 30 acre unimproved tract that runs from Hwy 17 to the marsh, what is the process for getting an access drive put in? Any crazy county stipulations?
Could the county keep you from cutting in an access? The answers received from the count have varied and not made much sense. Just wondering if anyone here has dealt with this.

**BrandonWagner** · 04-18-2022, 05:51 PM

….

**Tater** · 04-18-2022, 06:19 PM

17 is a state road.

What you need to know is whether or not 17 is a “controlled access” road.

By law SC DOT has to give you access to a state road……IF that is the only access you have.

You need to be talking to SC DOT and not Charleston County.

**bitesize** · 04-18-2022, 06:22 PM

Depends on what the property is zoned- access would be permitted but if wetlands are involved you can’t just go put in a driveway back to the marsh.

And you can’t just tie into 17, need a permit, SCDOT and County will have to bless it.

**Tater** · 04-18-2022, 06:43 PM

Sounds like 17 is indeed a controlled access road. You need to talk to SC DOT. Expect to be in need of an engineer to sign off on an encroachment permit. After he hires a surveyor to topo the area in question.

**Goin Coastal** · 04-18-2022, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tater

17 is a state road.

What you need to know is whether or not 17 is a “controlled access” road.

By law SC DOT has to give you access to a state road……IF that is the only access you have.

You need to be talking to SC DOT and not Charleston County.

Got the off highway access figured out. It's the drive through the property that is in question.

Originally Posted by bitesize

Depends on what the property is zoned- access would be permitted but if wetlands are involved you can’t just go put in a driveway back to the marsh.

And you can’t just tie into 17, need a permit, SCDOT and County will have to bless it.

It's zoned AG-15. It has some old Plantation irrigation ditches on it. Not sure if that constitutes wetlands.

**bitesize** · 04-18-2022, 07:13 PM

If you are building a house where you will have inspectors on your property I’d be careful where you put your driveway ie. fill and stump removal. If it’s just recreational land then drive where you can and improve your path over time.