Zoning

Zoning rules govern what can be built and how land can be used on Hilton Head Island, ensuring community safety, attractiveness, and prosperity while supporting the Town's long-term planning goals.

Zoning Districts

Hilton Head Island is divided into distinct zoning districts, each with specific standards for how land may be developed, including permitted uses, lot sizes, densities, setbacks, buffers, landscaping, parking, screening, and other regulations.

Find Your Zoning

Changing a Property's Zoning

If your intended use of a property is not permitted under the current zoning regulations, you can apply for a zoning map amendment to change the zoning district for that property.

Learn more about a Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning)

Zoning Variance

A variance is permission to bypass certain design standards for a property or its associated development if adhering to those standards would create challenges for the applicant.

A variance may be requested for most Land Management (LMO) rules except for allowing:

• The use of land or structure that is not permitted in that zoning district.
• The physical extension of an existing nonconforming use.
• An increase in the number of homes allowed in that zoning district.
• Changes to the sign rules.

Learn more about a Zoning Variance

Special Exception

Special exceptions occur when a specific use is permitted in a particular location within a zoning district where that use is not typically allowed.

Learn more about Special Exceptions

Questions?

Contact the Community Development Information Center at cdic@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4757