This publication was spearheaded by the Preservation Society of Charleston in an effort to increase the resilience of the city’s built environment and to promote the safety of its citizens from environmental threats. The project began with a series of conversations with City representatives, local leaders, and citizens to better understand Charleston’s most pressing resilience issues. Three focus areas emerged from these conversations as desired project outcomes:
• A detailed explanation of the requirements for flood mitigation projects;
• Clarification of the City permitting, BAR, and DRB review processes; and
• Identification of lower-cost, implementable improvements to increase resilience.
This document primarily addresses the third bullet, which is considered by the Preservation Society of Charleston and the City of Charleston to be the highest priority need. To that end, the information herein is designed to serve the greatest number of property owners and tenants, not just designated historic buildings. Multiple actions can increase the overall resilience of the “Holy City” and empower its residents to protect themselves and their properties from environmental threats.