Town Ordinances

General

• Gas and electric grills are ONLY permitted on decks of single family homes. Do not use grills on decks or balconies of condos or villas.
• No open fires or fireworks are allowed at any time except those permitted by the Town.

Detailed list of ordinances and municipal codes available by searching Municode here.

Beaches

• STRONG RIP CURRENTS are common. Swim with caution. Charleston County Parks and Recreation provides lifeguards at Beachwalker County Park.
• Swimming and wading is prohibited at Captain Sam’s Inlet
• NO GLASS is allowed on the beach.
• NO OPEN FIRES or FIREWORKS are allowed at any time except ones permitted by the Town. Fireworks are subject to confiscation.
• NO LITTERING. Use containers found at beach accesses.
• NO VEHICLES ALLOWED ON THE BEACH except emergency and authorized vehicles.
• OVERNIGHT STORAGE of beach equipment (tents, chairs, toys, etc.) is prohibited.
• PUBLIC NUDITY IS PROHIBITED.
• SLEEPING ON BEACHES AFTER DARK IS PROHIBITED
• MOTORIZED VESSELS Launching, retrieving, and beaching of motorized vessels including jet skis is prohibited except for authorized vessels.
• BIKES are allowed on the beach, but must be walked across boardwalks. Reckless operation is prohibited.
• COMMERCIAL BUSINESS is prohibited on the beach except under license from the Town.
• FISHING A saltwater fishing licenses is required for all recreational fishing. Licenses can be obtained at Seacoast Sports and Outfitters 843-768-8486 (Freshfields Village), Bohicket Marina 843-768-1280 or online at the Department of Natural Resources website 843-762-5000.
• SEA TURTLES are an endangered species. Do not interfere with them in any way. No lights are allowed that illuminate the front beach between 10 pm and dawn from May 1st to October 31st. Hatchling turtles are disorientated by artificial light. Fill holes dug in sand before you leave the beach. If you see any adult sea turtles or hatchings call 843-768-9166 to report your sighting.
• SAND DUNES are protected and fragile. Beach Sea Oats and grass help protect the dunes. Stay off the dunes and use public walkovers, located at every block, to access the beach.

Learn more about our beaches here.

Dogs

• Dogs are allowed on the beach year round however there are seasonal leash restraint rules. Fines Apply.
• Critical Habitat Area: Dogs are prohibited in the designated critical habitat areas.
• Seasonal Dog Leash Area: From the Critical Habitat Area west of Beachwalker County Park to the eastern boundary of the Beach Club.
• March 16 – October 31 – Dogs must be leashed at all times.
• November 1 – March 15 – Dogs are allowed to be off leash.
• Dog Use Area: Dogs are allowed off leash year round in the designated “dog use area” located between the eastern boundary of the Beach Club and the Ocean Course pedestrian access provided they are under voice command.
• Off Leash Stipulations: The owner must remain with their pet under control and have in their possession a leash. Pets must be leashed if requested by another beachgoer or by Beach Patrol.
• Clean up after your pets. There are dog bag receptacles at most of the boardwalks.

Pet Restraint Map

Dog Leash Guidelines

Transportation

• Private motorcycles, mopeds, Segways, motorized scooters, motorized bicycles and similar motorized vehicles are prohibited.
• Use the bike paths for biking, jogging or skating. Biking and jogging on roadways is prohibited when there is a designated bike path present.
• Bicycles, skates and skateboards are not permitted on the roads or golf cart paths but maybe used on bike paths and trails.
• Obey speed limits. Watch out for pedestrians, bikers, golfers, skaters, and wildlife, and deer.
• Golf carts are prohibited on Kiawah roads or leisure trails.
• Overnight parking must be off street.

Wildlife

• DO NOT approach, feed or taunt alligators. It’s the law and strictly enforced. Kiawah Island is home to a very healthy population of American alligators that can be seen in almost all of the 183 brackish and freshwater ponds interspersed throughout the island. For that reason, dogs should never be allowed to swim in the ponds or approach a pond’s edge.
• Kiawah Island serves as vital nesting beach for loggerhead turtles. Do not approach or disturb nesting turtles and abstain from shining lights at them. Loggerheads are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are protected by federal and state laws.
• Exterior lights facing the beach must be turned off from 9:00pm to 7:00am from May 15- October 31st for turtle protection.