Charleston is one of the most distinctive fence markets in the Southeast, where colonial-era history, active preservation requirements, hurricane exposure, and the demanding coastal environment of the Lowcountry converge to create a market that rewards contractors with genuine local expertise above all else. Johns Island — one of the Sea Islands just west of Charleston proper — is a market unto itself, where sprawling live oak-canopied properties, sandy coastal plain soils, and the proximity to tidal marshes require fence installations adapted to ground conditions that shift dramatically with moisture. Summerville, the fast-growing suburb northwest of Charleston in Dorchester County, brings a more conventional HOA-suburban dynamic but still sits squarely in the hurricane corridor where wind-resistant design is a baseline requirement.
Find a Fence Company Near You, Enter Zip Below.
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Carolina Fence Company |
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| Address: | PO Box 27, Summerville, SC 29484 | ||
| Phone #: | (843) 821-0486 | ||
| Website: | http://www.carolinafencecompany.com | ||
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Glover Fence Company |
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| Address: | 5611 Chisolm Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455 | ||
| Phone #: | (843) 559-1314 | ||
| Website: | http://www.gloverfence.com | ||
Charleston Zoning & Permit Guide
City of Charleston: The Charleston Development Services Department requires a permit for most permanent fence installations. Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) has jurisdiction over the Old and Historic Charleston District and the Old City District — properties within these areas require BAR approval before any fence installation. This is one of the most active historic preservation programs in the South.
Dorchester County (Summerville): Summerville operates its own building department. As one of SC’s fastest-growing cities, Summerville has extensive HOA activity in its newer developments. Contact the Summerville Building Department for current permit requirements. See our FAQ on fence permit requirements.
Charleston County (Johns Island): Johns Island is in unincorporated Charleston County and is governed by Charleston County Building Inspections. Sandy Lowcountry soils on the Sea Islands drain differently than the Piedmont clays of the upstate — ask your contractor about post anchoring in sandy soil conditions.
Hurricane Wind Exposure: Charleston sits directly in the Atlantic hurricane corridor. Ask your contractor about wind-resistant post depth, panel bracing, and gate hardware designed for coastal storm conditions.
Pool Safety: South Carolina pool barrier requirements mandate a minimum 48-inch (4-foot) enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates. Learn more about making your fence pool code compliant.
Utilities: South Carolina law requires calling SC 811 at least three working days before any digging begins.