Frequently Asked Questions

Greenbelt funds can be used to acquire interest in land for conservation, wetlands protection, historic and cultural preservation, parks, greenways and trails, and waterway access.

Greenbelt funds may also be used to support the following minor improvements that provide public access and use of conservation lands purchased with Greenbelt monies.

Other improvements may be included in a particular project but cannot be funded with Greenbelt proceeds.

Beach municipalities (Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Sullivan's Island) may submit applications to use their urban greenbelt funds for allowable minor improvements on land the towns currently own. The improvements would be restricted to those allowed in the Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan (see above). In addition, the beach towns would have to agree to place the land under the same covenants and restrictions as all other lands protected with greenbelt funds.

Projects funded with Rural Program monies must occur in the Rural Area of Charleston County defined by the County's Comprehensive Plan as the municipalities and unincorporated areas that are located outside the Charleston County Urban Suburban Growth Boundary. These areas include the West St. Andrews area in West Ashley, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, the St. Paul’s area, Hollywood, Meggett, Ravenel, Rockville, Awendaw, McClellanville and portions of Johns Island, West Ashley and East Cooper.

Projects funded with Urban Program monies must occur in the Urban Area of Charleston County defined by the County's Comprehensive Plan as the municipalities and unincorporated areas that are located within the Charleston County Urban Suburban Growth boundary. The municipalities and unincorporated lands within this boundary include:

A copy of the application document may be viewed here: https://greenbelt.charlestoncounty.org/apply.php

Based on the criteria outlined in the application, projects are scored and submitted to a subcommittee of the Greenbelt Advisory Board (GAB). The subcommittee evaluates both rural and urban project applications and makes recommendation to the full GAB. The GAB forwards its recommendations to County Council for final action.

Reimbursement in the specified grant amount is provided to the applicant at the time of closing. Funds approved for allowable minor improvements are disbursed as costs are incurred.

The Notice of Intent to Submit informs county staff of your intention to submit an application for Greenbelt funding of a project. The form provides a brief description of the property and amount of funding requested.

Submission of this form is required in order to receive a link to the on-line application. All applications must be submitted on-line.

Notice of Intent Forms must be signed and submitted via email, mail, or in person to the following address:

Charleston County Government
Attn: Greenbelt Programs
4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite B238
North Charleston, SC 29405
Email: EDavis@CharlestonCounty.org

The Notice of Intent to Submit Form is located under the APPLY section on the Greenbelt Programs website.

All applications must be submitted on-line. Once the Notice of Intent Form is received, applicants are provided a link to the on-line application with instructions for completion. Applications must be received by the deadline. On-line submissions will not be accessible, and applications will not be considered, after the deadline.

In addition to the online submission of the application document, required attachments will need to be submitted electronically through either email or the use of a shared file format (such as Drop Box).

The Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan may be viewed here: https://greenbelt.charlestoncounty.org/cgp.php