Public road standards.
Charleston, S.C., Zoning Ordinance § 54-1059
in effectSec. 54-1059. - Public road standards.
All public roads shall be constructed to City standards pursuant to the requirements of Article 8 and other applicable City codes, except that Non-standard city roads with an earth surface and width as described above, Primary rural roads with an earth, rock or pavement surface and width as described above, and secondary city roads with a rock or pavement surface and width as described above shall be permitted in the agricultural districts if the requirements of this Article are satisfied.
1. Maintenance Guarantees. Street and storm water management/drainage systems that are to be dedicated to the City of Charleston for public maintenance shall meet all dedication requirements of the City.
2. Secondary Rural Road Standards (Maximum of Ten Lots).
a. General design requirements:
(1) Required right-of-way: The minimum right-of-way width is 50 feet.
(2) Required minimum street section: Streets shall be constructed to minimum earth street standards and have a minimum travel way width of 18 feet.
(3) Required minimum street elevations: The minimum street centerline elevation at finish grade shall be 6.5 feet above mean sea level.
(4) Required minimum profile gradient: The minimum street profile centerline gradient shall be 0.4% except for causeways where land areas adjacent to the road embankment are jurisdictional wetlands or critical area.
(5) Street centerline minimum curve radius criteria:
(a) Street centerline curve radii shall meet AASHTO guidelines for the design speed limit.
(b) Where streets are designed for less than 30 mph speed limit, the design professional shall provide supporting design data, including traffic control signage.
(c) All roads shall be designed with a minimum road centerline radius of 125 feet.
(d) Horizontal sight distances shall be considered in the design process.
(e) Vertical curves shall have a minimum length of 100 feet.
b. Roadway Drainage Design. See the City of Charleston Stormwater Design Standards Manual.
c. Construction Plans and Specifications. The construction plans shall satisfy the requirements of the Code of the City of Charleston and the City of Charleston Stormwater Design Standards Manual and shall be reviewed and approved through the TRC.
3. Primary Rural Road Standards.
a. General Design Requirements:
(1) Required right-of-way: The minimum right-of-way width is 50 feet.
(2) Required minimum street section: Streets shall have a minimum travel way width of 20 feet. The travel surface shall be at least equal to the type of surface with which it is being connected (pavement, rock, or earth). If development characteristics warrant, the Director of the Department of Public Service can approve a reduction in the surface type. Written requests for a reduction in surface type shall be directed to the Director of the Department of Public Service with an accompanying justification statement.
(3) Required minimum street elevations: The minimum street centerline elevation at finish grade shall be 6.5 feet above mean sea level.
(4) Required minimum profile gradient: The minimum street profile centerline gradient shall be 0.4% except for causeways where land areas adjacent to the road embankment are jurisdictional wetlands or critical areas.
(5) Street centerline minimum curve radius criteria:
(a) Street centerline curve radii shall meet AASHTO guidelines for the design speed limit.
(b) Where streets are designed for less than a) 30 mph speed limit, the design professional shall provide supporting design data, including traffic control signage.
(c) All roads shall be designed with a minimum road centerline radius of 125 feet.
(d) Horizontal sight distances shall be considered in the design process.
(e) Vertical curves shall have a minimum length of 100 feet.
b. Roadway Drainage Design. See the City of Charleston Stormwater Design Standards Manual.
c. Construction Plans and Specifications. The construction plans shall satisfy the requirements of the Code of the City of Charleston and the City of Charleston Stormwater Design Standards Manual and shall be reviewed and approved through the TRC.
4. Secondary County Road Standards
a. General Design Requirements:
(1) Required right-of-way:
(a) The minimum right-of-way width is 50 feet, however;
(b) The road right-of-way must be of sufficient width to provide for the following:
i. Drainage;
ii. Pavement or rock travel way;
iii. Shoulders;
iii. Signage;
iv. Trees; and
v. Utilities such as street lights and overhead/underground utility lines (electric, telephone, cable TV, gas, water, and sewer).
(2) Required minimum street section: Streets shall have a minimum travel way width of 22 feet. The travel surface shall be at least equal to the type of surface with which it is being connected (pavement or rock). If development characteristics warrant, the Public Works Director can approve a reduction in the surface type. Written requests for a reduction in surface type shall be directed to the Public Works Director with an accompanying justification statement.
(3) Required minimum street elevations: The minimum street centerline elevation at finish grade shall be 6.5 feet above mean sea level.
(4) Required minimum profile gradient: The minimum street profile centerline gradient shall be 0.4% except for causeways where land areas adjacent to the road embankment are jurisdictional wetlands or critical areas.
(5) Street centerline minimum curve radius criteria:
(a) Street centerline curve radii shall meet AASHTO guidelines for the design speed limit.
(b) Where streets are designed for less than a 30 mph speed limit, the design professional shall provide supporting design data, including traffic control signage.
(c) All roads shall be designed with a minimum road centerline radius of 125 feet.
(d) Horizontal sight distances shall be considered in the design process.
(e) Vertical curves shall have a minimum length of 100 feet.
b. Roadway Drainage Design. Shall satisfy the City of Charleston Stormwater Design Standards Manual.
5. Non-standard County Road Standards.
a. General Design Requirements:
(1) Required right-of-way: The minimum right-of-way width shall be the width of the traveled way plus five feet on either side.
(2) Required minimum road section: Roads are not constructed to minimum earth road standards.
(3) Required minimum road elevations: The minimum road centerline elevation at finish grade shall be 6.5 feet above mean sea level, if possible.
(4) Required minimum profile gradient: N/A.
(5) Road centerline minimum curve radius criteria: N/A.
b. Roadway Drainage Design. The roadway drainage design must show, at a minimum, how the drainage is directed away from the travel way.
c. Construction Plans and Specifications: N/A.
(Ord. No. 2018-031, § 11, 4-10-18)
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/zoning?nodeId=ART10AGZODI_PT4RUROSTAGZODI_S54-1059PUROSTFetched: 11/7/2026