Boards and Commissions

The Accommodations Tax Advisory Board shall make recommendations to the City Council on, and establish guidelines for, the granting of 65% of the state accommodations funds.

The Board of Zoning Appeals shall hear appeals to the decisions of the administration of the zoning ordinance, requests for variances, and requests for special exceptions in accordance with S.C. Code § 6-29-780 et sq. and Chapter 162 of the Folly Beach Code of Ordinances.

The Board shall consist of seven members elected by City Council to staggered three year terms. The Mayor and City Council shall make every effort to appoint individuals to vacant seats on or before June 1 of each year.

The chairperson shall be elected by the board, who shall serve for one year or until he or she is re-elected or his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Board members shall be full-time, year-round residents and registered voters of the city. Full-time, year round residency shall be determined by the address appearing on the voter registration card, driver’s license, and most current federal tax return.

The committee shall make recommendations for approval only if the funds proposed to be donated to individuals, organizations, and non-profit entities are to be used for public purpose. Public purpose is defined as promotion of the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, security, prosperity, and contentment of all the residents of the City or at least a substantial part thereof.

The Construction and Fire Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall hear appeals from decisions of the Building Official and the Fire Code Official and to consider variances of the technical building, fire, or flood codes.

The Design Review Board (DRB) reviews all new construction, renovations, and other changes to the exterior appearance of all buildings in the commercial districts of the city. The board's authority also extends to signs, fences, and accessory structures erected in the commercial districts.

DRB meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. The deadline to apply to appear on the agenda is noon, ten days before each meeting.

The board consists of five full-time, year-round residents and registered voters appointed at-large by City Council. When making appointments, council shall give preference to one member being an architect, one member being a realtor, one member being a city planner or landscape architect, and one member being a licensed general or residential contractor. Experience and length of residency of a prospective member should be considered.

The mission of the Folly Beach Parks and Recreation Board is to provide children of all ages with safe, clean, well-maintained places to play and exercise that meet the legal standards; to provide citizens of all walks of life with clean, well-maintained areas in which to exercise, relax, have community related activities; and to provide opportunities for walking by the water, passive water-based recreation opportunities, additional restrooms, and picnic areas by the water.

The Planning Commission shall serve as an advisory body to Council on matters related to zoning, subdivisions, and other areas as provided in the Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act, S.C. Code §§ 6-29-310 et seq.

The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month.

A full explanation of the Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act, as well as general planning and legal issues related to the Planning Commission, can be found in the 2024 Comprehensive Planning Guide for Local Governments. The guide is produced by the Municipal Association of South Carolina and is a convenient reference for Planning Commissioners, elected officials, staff, and the public.

City Council, in the appointment of Planning Commission members, shall consider their professional expertise, knowledge of the community, and concern for the future welfare of the total community and its citizens. Members of the commission shall represent a broad cross section of the interests and concerns within the jurisdiction.

All members of the Planning Commission shall be registered voters or property owners of the city. The maximum number of non-registered voters shall be two.

The Tourism Visitors Promotion Committee makes recommendations to City Council on, and establish guidelines for, the advertisement and promotion of tourism for the city using the 30% accommodation tax funds received from the state and any grant fund received for this purpose. The Committee shall seek grants to supplement funding.

To make recommendations to City Council on matters relating to the water and sewer utilities.