The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception for an owner-occupied extended home rental at 14 Grimble Road Extension on Oct. 20.

Applicant Susan Gislasen described the property as a historic cottage with a permitted upstairs unit above a two-car garage; she said she has operated the property as a limited home rental in multiple prior years and sought extended-home status to expand allowed rental days. "I have rented parts of that to Airbnb for five years. There have been no problems in these five years," Gislasen said. She described upgrades to the house, solar plans and the decision to request the longer rental window to help sustain household income.

Staff reported the parcel sits in the S-3 special management zoning district and recommended approval subject to completing the STRP limited site-plan review, compliance with Article 6.8, a maximum of 144 aggregate rental days per calendar year and tenant compliance with the county noise ordinance. Commissioners discussed number of bedrooms and owner-occupancy; staff confirmed tax records list the property as owner-occupied and that some additions changed bedroom counts.

Commissioner Trueslow moved for approval with staff conditions; the board passed the motion by voice vote. Staff will mail the board's final decision to the applicant within 10 working days and will require the applicant to complete the required STRP/site-plan work before a zoning permit is issued.