Women's Clothing Boutique in North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - North Charleston is considering putting a cap on the number of short-term rentals in the city.

Surrounding communities already have caps like Charleston and Folly Beach.

Tim Macholl, Director of Planning and Zoning, said council members raised concerns about having too many short-term rentals in their district. They worry that neighborhoods like these may no longer have the same feeling of community with new people always walking in and out the door.

“Right now, that cap is proposed to be no more than 600 units that excludes existing units that are already permitted and in good standing. That also excludes individual room rentals,” Macholl said.

The cap would be divided evenly among the 10 districts, meaning each district would be permitted to have 60. Those living in North Charleston have mixed feelings about the potential cap.

“I’ve been here for 8 years and I’ve definitely seen the growth so I can understand why they would want to put a cap but as far as businesses go, I can understand that everyone wants a piece of the pie,” North Charleston resident Gunther Prado said.

“I think that the more that the government stays out of our pockets and our homes the better. I think if it’s your land, your house, you should be able to do what you want to do with it,” North Charleston resident Jason Ayers said.

“I own an Airbnb in Myrtle Beach, so I get both sides. But I do think housing affordability is a big problem in North Charleston,” North Charleston resident Bertrand Valero said.

Despite owning an Airbnb, Valero said he believes there should be a cap in North Charleston because he says it’s a different situation. Myrtle Beach is a vacation destination, and North Charleston has a lot of people who live here long-term. The cap would also allow the city to crack down on rentals not permitted. Macholl said there are around 570 permitted within the city. But they are aware of about 1200 operating without a permit.

“Once we’ve identified that they are operating without a permit, let them know that they need to cease and desist, stop operating if they’re in a district that does not have any space to get a permit they would have to just stop,” Macholl said.

There are some districts like 8 and 10 that already have far more than the cap. For those with permits in good standing, Macholl said the city would not take them away and they could keep operating.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

President Joe Biden will worship with a Lowcountry congregation and visit the International African American Museum in Charleston during his final day in office.

President Joe Biden will wrap up his presidency in Charleston this weekend, spending his final day in office in the city where it all began with the 2020 endorsement of Congressman Jim Clyburn.

“He is coming to thank the very community and the people who put him in the White House,” says former State Sen. Marlon Kimpson who was appointed by Biden in 2023 to serve on the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee.

Kimpson says Biden will worship at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston Sunday and attend a reception at the International African American Museum at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston.

“While he will be thanking us, we will also be thanking him,” says Kimpson. “This president has done tremendous service to our state.”

Kimpson points to the Bipartisan Infrastructure law of 2021 that brought millions of dollars to our state, including the expansion of broadband allowing internet access for people in rural communities at a critical time, during the pandemic.

He also applauds the outgoing president for expanding healthcare for many who could not afford it, in particular, the American Rescue Plan that provided relief for families and workers impacted by COVID.

“All those resources enable our people to live a better quality of life,” says Kimpson.

As for what’s next with former President Donald Trump officially returning to the White House the day after Biden’s visit, Kimpson believes attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs have been misplaced.

“People are hurting in our country and they’re looking for somebody to blame for their own lack of success,” he says.

“I think leveling the playing field for opportunities for those who haven’t historically had those disadvantages is not taking away from someone who thinks they’re deserving.”

As for President Biden’s message Sunday, Kimpson says, that’s anyone’s guess.

“I can say this. It’s hist last day in office and he will be speaking to the world.”

In other words, all eyes will be on Charleston.

The White House has issued a press release acknowledging the president’s visit to Charleston but has yet to include specifics.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — A North Charleston restaurant owner is one of three chefs chosen to showcase South Carolina’s culinary scene on the national stage this year.

Shuai Wang, the owner and chef of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ, was named a 2025 Chef Ambassador during a ceremony at the South Carolina Statehouse on Monday. The other chefs chosen were Greenville chef Jeanne Koenigsberg and Conway restaurant owner and executive chef Darren Smith.

Chef ambassadors represent South Carolina at food festivals and other events, sharing the state’s rich culinary traditions and agricultural heritage by using produce, meats, dairy, and seafood from local farms to prepare dishes.

“Food is an important part of our state’s history, culture, and economy, and it’s where two of our largest industries — tourism and agriculture — overlap and excel,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Our world-class culinary talent is highlighted and celebrated through the Chef Ambassador program, showcasing the best of South Carolina chefs, farmers, and locally grown products.”

Monday’s announcement comes during South Carolina Restaurant Week, an 11-day celebration of local cuisine in which hundreds of restaurants offer special menus and select deals.

South Carolina has spent decades building up its reputation as a culinary hotspot, drawing millions of travelers each year and generating billions for the economy. The restaurant industry was expected to contribute nearly $22 billion in sales to the state’s economy in 2024, according to a report from the National Restaurant Association.

Wang and his wife opened their Short Grain food truck in 2015, serving up non-traditional Japanese fare. At the time, it was named one of America’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine and earned Wang a James Beard Award nomination for Rising Star Chef.

Flash forward to 2025 and the couple now has two restaurants beloved by the community: Jackrabbit Filly, which describes itself as a family-style “Heritage Driven New Chinese American Restaurant,” and Kings BBQ, which offers “Chinatown Barbecue made with Southern Smoke.”

Wang said in a statement that his restaurants still use ingredients from many of the same farmers as when the truck first opened, and he is eager to highlight that sense of community through the program.

“This opportunity is a great way for me to showcase just how easy it is to support your local farmers and fishermen, and that any cuisine is able to utilize what is locally grown seasonally,” he said. “I’m looking forward to all the fun events that I get to be a part of this year, representing Charleston and South Carolina.”

The chef ambassador program is currently in its 11th year.

Published: Jan. 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM PST|

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Experts at Preferred Home Services, a plumbing company based in North Charleston, are urging families to take necessary steps to avoid a time-consuming issue that may cost up to thousands of dollars in repair.

Cold mornings are in the forecast which means taking extra safety steps at home can avoid potential disasters.

Dropping temperatures can take a toll on indoor plumbing systems. Weather impacts can lead to freezing water pipes overnight and cause devastating flooding in mere hours.

Plumbing supervisor Clint Lankford at Preferred Home Services says the most important step is shutting off the home water line at the valve or the meter. He says turning off the water is crucial before an emergency happens as water can run unnoticed for hours.

“I’ve watched an entire probably a 20-to-30-foot run inside of an attic split the entire way down,” Lankford says. “And it unthawed around lunchtime and it ran for probably about five hours, causing the entire home to be damaged.”

Lankford says residents can call a local plumber or fire department as well as use online resources for help.

Lankford says running water does not freeze. In that case, he recommends dripping hot water through the furthest faucet from the main water line helps keep pipes warm. The running hot water moves through the entire water system which protects the pipes from potential cracks from cold temperatures.

Covering exposed pipelines and opening cabinet doors also helps keep pipes warm and protected. Lankford suggests using pipe installations, rags or hose bib covers to protect lines from wind and temperatures.

Fire officials are also warning residents to be safe when warming the home during winter weather.

Central Berkeley Fire and Rescue officials are urging families to take precautions before pulling out their space heaters.

Central Berkeley Fire and Rescue crews have responded to two home fires linked to space heaters within the last 30 days. Assistant Chief Colt Roy of the department calls those fires total losses, but the real culprit is not the portable heater itself.

The assistant chief says the real issues are extension cords, power strips and radiating heat setting fire to nearby household objects.

Space heaters come in a variety of power ranges with some going up to 1500 watts. Roy says families need to plug heaters directly into walls to avoid fires from undersized extension cords.

Household items such as drapes, furniture and laundry can overheat if too close to space heaters. Roy recommends removing items at least 3 feet away from heaters as well as ensuring there is tip over protection. Tip over protection allows heaters to automatically shut off when knocked over. The assistant chief urges to double-check on the feature for households with pets.

Smoke alarms are critically important to protect families from emergencies. Roy urges families to make sure fire alarms are installed and working. He says carbon monoxide detectors are especially critical for homes with furnaces and fireplaces.

Many fire departments offer services for free smoke detectors and installation.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON — As the cost of housing continues to rise, city leaders are looking to allow accessory dwelling units in residential areas to provide more housing options.

An accessory dwelling unit, also known as a carriage house or in-law suite, is a separate, detached living space with a kitchen and bathroom on the same property as a single-family home. The city's proposed ordinance would allow homeowners to rent the separate unit to a long-term tenant, which would provide additional income to the homeowner and increase housing stock.

"The answer to the housing crisis is very simple. It is more housing," Councilman Brandon Hudson said. "Unless we allow more types of housing and more density, we will never be able to fully address the housing deficit."

The city currently allows ADUs in a few overlay districts, such as the Olde North Charleston Historic District and Neighborhood Conservation District, which covers a strip of Park Circle between Spruill and Virginia avenues.

The new amendment that City Council will review Jan. 9 at the first meeting of the year will allow ADUs in residential areas across the city.

However, certain restrictions in the ordinance will not allow these additional units on small lot sizes to prevent too much density, said Hudson, whose district includes Park Circle.

The ordinance is aimed at areas like Park Circle where larger lot sizes can accommodate additional density, as opposed to already dense areas like Liberty Hill, Chicora-Cherokee and Accabee.

According to the proposed ordinance, an ADU cannot be more than two-thirds the size of the principal dwelling unit or exceed 800 square feet. The lot size must be at least 4,500 square feet. An additional off-street parking spot for the ADU must be provided. All ADUs must be permitted by the city.

It's intentional that these additional units are small, said Tim Macholl, the city's director of planning and zoning, during a November committee meeting. He said the space is ideal for a college student who is spending the summer at home or in-laws staying in town. It also provides an opportunity for additional income for homeowners if they choose to rent it out, he added.

However, these units are not eligible for short-term rental permits, so they can not be used for vacation rental services, like Airbnb.

City leaders do not plan to impose rent control on the ADUs that would ensure affordability for renters, Hudson said. Instead, the goal is to create more housing stock, so the price of housing naturally comes down.

"If you put too many obstructions in the way of allowing people to build housing, they're not going to build housing," Hudson said.

The city of Charleston once tried putting affordability restrictions on ADUs. Charleston's ordinance is similar to North Charleston's proposed one in that ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals and must go through a permitting process.

However, Charleston City Council added a guarantee to the ordinance in 2020 that required these units to be offered at an affordable rental rate for tenants making 80 percent of the area's median income. At the time, the rent could not exceed $1,135 per month for a one-bedroom unit.

This restriction led to a nearly two-year period where no new rental ADUs were permitted by the city, according to the city's Housing and Community Development Department at the time.

In April 2022, City Council agreed the affordability requirement was too restrictive. Council voted that ADUs built using the city's grant funding must be rented at an affordable rate, while all other ADUs are priced at the discretion of the homeowner.

North Charleston's proposed ordinance amendment will be read at City Council on Jan. 9. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments the following week at the Jan. 16 committee meeting.