Land Development and Regulations

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The purpose of the Subdivision/Land Development Regulations are as follows:

To encourage the development of an economically stable and sound municipality;
To assure the timely provision of required streets, utilities, and other facilities and services to new land developments;
To assure the adequate provision of safe and convenient traffic access and circulation, both vehicular and pedestrian, in and through new land developments;
To assure the provision of needed public open spaces and building sites in new land development through the dedication or reservation of land for recreational, educational, transportation, and other public purposes;
To generally assure the wise and timely development of new areas and redevelopment of previously developed areas in harmony with the adopted comprehensive plan; and
To secure equitable handling of all subdivision and development plans by providing uniform procedures and standards for observance by the developer and planning commission.

The City supports various boards and commissions that direct and review issues on land development and regulations.

The following board and commissions, which business in Hartsville often interact with, hold meetings at City Hall in the Council Chambers located at 100 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville, SC.

Architectural Review Board (ARB)

Architectural Review Board

The responsibility of the seven (7) member Architectural Review Board (ARB) is two-fold. First, it is to review and recommend to City Council, the designation of individual historic properties and historic districts, and to review plans and applications, as hereinafter provided, for all construction within historic districts and construction or demolition pertaining to or affecting duly designated historic properties. They shall have the power to approve, approve with modifications or deny approval for such applications in accordance with the prescribed procedures and guidelines.

Second, it is the general function of the board to protect the integrity of the B-1 business district and ensure the level of quality of all constructed projects within the B-1 business district. The board shall have the authority to request additional information, suggest revisions, and approve or disapprove plans for proposed projects, with an accompanying recommendation for approval going to the planning commission for final approval, leading to the issuance of permits.

The ARB must approve any physical improvements to the outside of a building located in the B-1 zoning district including painting. The ARB also approves signage in the B-1 zoning district.

The ARB meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. to review applications. Applications may be obtained below or at City Hall located at 100 East Carolina Avenue. Applications must be received one week prior to the meeting date. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted. A submission is considered complete when it includes a completed application, plans, materials, accurate calculations, an application fee and other supporting information as applicable.

Architectural Review Board meetings are public meetings and citizens are encouraged to attend. See the calendar below for upcoming meetings and agendas.

Application fee: $25

Staff Advisor

Brenda Kelley
brenda.kelley@hartsvillesc.gov
843-383-3009

Architectural Review Board Meetings

Applications must be submitted by the end of business on the Wednesday prior to each meeting in order to be considered for that month's meeting.

Meetings start at 5:15 pm and are held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 East Carolina Avenue. City Hall is an accessible facility, for assistance call 843-383-3018.

Building & Construction Review Committee (BOA)

Whenever the development of a tract of land within the city is proposed, the developer is urged to meet early and informally with the Building and Construction Review Committee. The committee is made up of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, Building Official, Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, and Public Works Manager.

A pre-application meeting is scheduled to familiarize the City with the potential application and to familiarize the potential applicant with the requirements of the Code, the comprehensive plan and other relevant criteria and procedures. A pre-application meeting is not intended to be an exhaustive review of all potential issues. A pre-application meeting does not bind or preclude the City from enforcing all applicable regulations or from applying regulations in a manner differently than may have been indicated in the pre-application meeting. Pre-application meetings are intended to be informational only and is not an approval in any manner of your proposal. The pre-application facilitates the subsequent preparation of plans.

Staff Advisor

Brenda Kelley
brenda.kelley@hartsvillesc.gov
843-383-3009

Planning Commission

The seven-member Planning Commission is responsible for undertaking a continuing planning program for the physical, social, and economic growth, development, and redevelopment of the city. The plans and programs will be designed to promote public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare, as well as the efficiency and economy of the city.

The Planning Commission prepares and recommends for adoption to City Council a zoning ordinance, including a zoning map, regulations for subdivision and development of land, a landscaping ordinance, a capital improvements plan, and other policies, procedures, or regulations to facilitate the implementation of planning elements. The commission also makes recommendations on various requests such as annexations and rezonings.

The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the last Monday of each month to review applications. Applications for Planning Commission review are due two weeks prior to the monthly meeting. An incomplete submission will not be accepted. A submission is only considered when it includes a completed application, plans, plats, calculations, application fee, and other necessary supporting information as applicable.

Planning Commission meetings are public meetings and citizens are encouraged to attend.

Application fees vary according to the project being proposed.

Staff Advisor

Brenda Kelley
brenda.kelley@hartsvillesc.gov
843-383-3009

Planning Commission Calendar

The Planning Commission generally meets on the last Monday of each month. Meetings start at 5:30 p.m. and are held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 East Carolina Avenue. City Hall is an accessible facility, for assistance call 843.383.3018.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The five (5) member Zoning Board of Appeals holds quasi-judicial public hearings to determine requests made by property owners in the city for considers requests for appeals of administrative interpretations or decisions, special exceptions, and variance requests as authorized by state law and the City of Hartsville Zoning Ordinance.

The Zoning Board of Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance. The Board permits uses by special exception, subject to the terms and conditions set forth for such uses in the zoning ordinance. The Board also hears and decides appeals for variance from the requirements of the zoning ordinance when strict application of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship.

Meetings are on an as needed basis to review applications. Complete applications for the Zoning Board of Appeals review must be submitted by mail at P.O. Drawer 2497, Hartsville, SC 29551 or in person at 100 East Carolina Avenue. An incomplete submission will not be accepted. A submission is only considered when it includes a completed application, plans, plats, a letter explaining the request in detail as it relates to the decision criteria, application fee and other supporting information as applicable.

After submitting your application, city staff will guide you through the process. Your request will be added to the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting agenda. The board may approve, approve with conditions, or deny your request. If your request is denied, you cannot move forward with your project and you cannot file the same request for one year. The decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals may also be appealed to circuit court

Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are public hearings and citizens are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend, comments for an agenda item can be submitted for consideration in writing to the Zoning Board of Appeals staff advisor by email, mail, or in person.

Application fee: $20. An advertising and publication fee of $50 is also due at the time of application. The $50 fee is refundable if the application is withdrawn prior to the advertisement of the application for public hearing.