TOURING REGULATIONS GENERALLY

Charleston, S.C., City Code ch. 29, art. VI

in effect

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-235 Maintenance of traffic flow.

Sec. 29-235. - Maintenance of traffic flow. No vehicle of any kind in the conduct of a tour shall stop or stand for description purposes but shall remain in and be part of the normal traffic flow; provided, however, slower moving vehicles shall safely pull temporarily to the side so as to prevent unnecessary delays to following traffic; and provided, further, animal-drawn vehicles are permitted to temporarily pull to the side of streets, out of the traffic flow, for description purposes. All animal-drawn carriages shall follow posted traffic signs, including without limitation stop signs and traffic signals. (Ord. No. 1983-22, § 68, 5-10-83; Ord. No. 2021-127, § 9, 9-14-21)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-236 Hours of operation.

Sec. 29-236. - Hours of operation. No person or entity shall conduct a tour in a small bus, large bus or animal-drawn vehicle or on foot prior to 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. Day Light Savings Time or 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, in residential areas zoned SR, STR, or DR on the city zoning map on file in the office of zoning. (Ord. No. 1983-22, § 69, 5-10-83; Ord. No. 1993-58, § 8, 4-27-93; Ord. No. 1994-402, § 1, 11-8-94; Ord. No. 1998-174, § 26, 9-22-98; Ord. No. 2010-85, § 1, 5-11-10; Ord. No. 2017-111, § 9, 9-13-17)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-237 Temporary traffic alterations.

Sec. 29-237. - Temporary traffic alterations. The director of livability and tourism or his/her designee, with the consent of the director of traffic and transportation, may temporarily alter the routes of travel and parking limitations of this chapter as well as the trip limitation provisions of sections 29-126, 29-146, and 29-160. (Ord. No. 1983-22, § 70, 5-10-83; Ord. No. 2023-064, § 14, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-238 Touring by non-certified small buses and charter buses.

Sec. 29-238. - Touring by non-certified small buses and charter buses. Small buses and charter buses which have not been granted certificates of appropriateness may transport passengers for the purpose of touring for hire in the districts, but only on the perimeter route. Such buses must receive the permit required by section 29-142 of this chapter and must comply with the remaining provisions of sections 29-142 through 29-147 of this chapter. (Ord. No. 1983-22, § 71, 5-10-83)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-239 Limitations on engine idling.

Sec. 29-239. - Limitations on engine idling. No buses may park with engines idling for more than five (5) minutes in residential areas. (Ord. No. 1983-22, § 72, 5-10-83)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-240 Report of accident required.

Sec. 29-240. - Report of accident required. (a) The driver of a vehicle, or tour guide, governed by the tourism ordinances, involved in any accident/occurrence resulting in injury to or death of any person/animal and/or property damage shall within twenty-four (24) hours of such accident/occurrence make written report thereof to the director of livability and tourism or his/her designee. Further, all carriage operators must maintain current liability insurance information on their carriages at all times. The information must include the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number, and the contact telephone number of the insurance carrier. (b) Each animal-drawn carriage company shall designate at least one (1) employee per shift to be trained in equine triage and/or first aid and to deploy as a first responder to any accident or incident involving possible injuries to a horse from their respective company. (c) Every equine involved in a reportable accident or incident must be inspected by a licensed equine vet at the discretion of the Director of livability and tourism or his designee certifying the animal is healthy and sound before it may be returned to service. (d) Each animal-drawn carriage involved in a reportable accident or incident shall be inspected before it may be returned to service. (Ord. No. 2010-94, § 1, 5-25-10; Ord. No. 2013-11, § 1, 1-22-13; Ord. No. 2021-127, § 7, 9-14-21; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 15, 3-28-23; Ord. No. 2023-064, § 15, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-241 Compliance required.

Sec. 29-241. - Compliance required. Failure to comply with this article or any of the laws, ordinances, or regulations of this city may result in revocation of any certifications and punishment in a court of appropriate jurisdiction. (Ord. No. 2021-127, § 8, 9-14-21; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 16, 3-28-23)

Source: City of Charleston, South Carolina, Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/sc/charleston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH29TO_ARTVITOREGEFetched: 11/7/2026