Planning & Zoning

Kiawah Island’s planning and zoning functions are handled by the Town of Kiawah Planning Department, the Kiawah Island Planning Commission and the Kiawah Island Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Town’s Land Use Planning and Zoning Ordinances, Article 12, can be found here. Their technical services include but are not limited to processing applications for zoning permits, subdivision of land, re-zonings, planned developments, variance requests, special exception requests, site plan review, zoning & land Development Regulations Ordinance text amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments and appeals of administrative decisions. Access the Town of Kiawah Island Comprehensive Plan (2015) here.

In addition, the department coordinates with Police, Fire and Emergency Services departments to assure accuracy, consistency, and agreement of addresses, street names and any newly annexed properties for use by the 9-1-1 emergency system. The Planning Department administers the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and key Development Plans with Kiawah Partners and the Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

View Zoning Map* Prior to any development project, please verify official zoning with the Planning Department.

Have questions about a planning and zoning process or application? 

Check out the process flowcharts below:

Annexation into the Town of Kiawah Island

Annexation is a request by a private property owner or owners or government entity to incorporate their property into the service area and jurisdiction of the Town of Kiawah Island. The Town Council of Kiawah Island is responsible for approving all applications for proposed annexations. The Town Council will execute these responsibilities by objectively weighing all relevant factors and making an informed decision on each proposed application for annexation. The policy and procedures for annexation are outlined in the Town’s Annexation Policy Plan and Procedures Manual.


Online Services

The Town of Kiawah Island’s enhanced software provides online service abilities to better accommodate customer service requests including permits, business licenses, inspections, contractor registrations and planning and zoning applications.

  • Apply for Zoning Permits
  • Apply for Site Plan Review
  • Submit Board of Zoning Appeal Applications
  • Submit for Subdivision Review
  • Submit Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  • Submit Zoning Text and Zoning Map Amendments
  • Electronic plan reviews with status updates

ACCESS ONLINE SERVICES

Please contact John Taylor, Jr. at jtaylor@kiawahisland.org or 843-768-9979 to schedule a pre-application meeting prior to submitting development applications for Board of Zoning Appeals, Site Plan Review, Subdivision Request, or Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Amendments.

If you have any problems accessing the site, please contact Sharon Johnson at 843-768-9166 or sjohnson@kiawahisland.org.

5-compressorContact Information

PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Kiawah Island Municipal Center
4475 Betsy Kerrison Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
843-768-9166
843- 768-4764 (Fax)

John W. Taylor, Jr. – Planning Director
jtaylor@kiawahisland.org

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TOKI Marsh Management Plan


In April 2022, the Town of Kiawah Planning Department launched the development of a Comprehensive Marsh Management Plan. The plan will be developed during 2022 and conclude by year’s end. Stay tuned to this page for updates, engagement activities and meeting invitations.
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Document Center

The Document Center provides easy access to public documents. Click on one of the categories below to see related documents or use the search function.

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Meeting Schedules1 document

  • 2022 PLANNING AND ZONING APPLICATION DEADLINES AND MEETING DATES
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    To use the applications below click the link then download the form to your desktop before filling it out.

Board of Zoning Appeals Application2 documents

  • VARIANCE APPLICATION PACKAGE
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  • SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION PACKAGE
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Planning Applications/Forms7 documents

  • ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT APPLICATION
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  • ZONING DISTRICT MAP AMENDMENT APPLICATION
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  • COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION
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  • RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AFFIDAVIT
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  • LETTER OF INTENT
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  • SUBDIVISION APPLICATION
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  • PLANNING FEE SCHEDULE
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