Board of Zoning Appeals

The seven-member, council-appointed Awendaw Board of Zoning Appeals is a Quasi-Judicial body established to interpret and grant relief from the Zoning Ordinance adopted by Town Council on December 7, 2000. The Board of Zoning Appeals meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM as needed and has jurisdiction over three (3) types of cases: Appeals, Variances and Special Exceptions.

• Appeals are heard regarding administrative actions or decisions by the Zoning Administrator or staff and require a two thirds (2/3) vote of quorum present to overturn the Zoning Administrator’s decision.
• Variances may be granted when strict application of the zoning ordinance would cause an unnecessary hardship. This Board’s actions must be based on specific standards as contained in the S.C. Local Government Planning Enabling Act of 1994 and the Town of Awendaw Zoning Ordinance. A two-thirds vote (2/3) is required to grant a variance.
• Special Exceptions allow the Board to permit uses if certain terms and conditions as defined in the Zoning Ordinance are met. It must be understood that the rules of your neighborhood or subdivision are binding and we can take no action that will negate their jurisdiction over your property. A simple majority is required to attain a special exception.

The deadline for applications to be considered on the upcoming agenda is at least 30 days prior to the scheduled meeting date. 

Staff Contacts: 
Ricardo Giani, Town Planner ([email protected])

​Takeya White, Planning Clerk ([email protected])

Board Members: ​
Allen Rioux, Chair (Term Ends: Dec. 2026)
​Willette Alston-Hockaday (Term Ends: Dec. 2026)         
Karen Claussen (Term Ends: Aug. 2025)
Samuel J. McNeal (Term Ends: Aug. 2025)
Ken Killough (Term Ends: Dec. 2026 )