Do You Need Historic Approval to Renovate in Mount Pleasant's Old Village?
Yes, for any exterior change inside the Town's Old Village Historic District. The board is the Town of Mount Pleasant Historic District Preservation Commission, and its approval comes before demolition, construction or alteration starts.
In Mount Pleasant's Old Village Historic District, the Historic District Preservation Commission (HDPC) reviews all exterior changes to buildings and property, and its approval must come before any demolition, construction or alteration starts. The HDPC meets the second Monday of each month at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Lane. The submittal deadline is four weeks before each meeting, and you apply through the Town's online permitting system, OPAL.
Checked against the official sources listed at the bottom of this page on 13 October 2026. By Jared McCarley, Southeastern Renovation LLC, SC General Contractor License CLG.127339.
What does the Historic District Preservation Commission review?
The Town describes the HDPC as "an architectural review board charged with the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the architecture within the town's historic district." It "reviews all exterior changes to buildings and property," and "approval from the board must be received prior to starting any demolition, construction, or alteration project within the district." That covers additions, porches, windows and doors, siding, roofing, fences and demolition, including partial demolition.
Interior-only work does not change the exterior, so it is a building-permit question rather than an HDPC one.
When does it meet, and when is the deadline?
- Meetings: second Monday of each month, 5:00 PM, unless the Town's 2026 annual meeting schedule says otherwise
- Place: Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Lane
- Submittal deadline: four weeks before each meeting
- Written public comment: must arrive two business days before the meeting, and becomes part of the public record
- How to apply: through OPAL, the Town's online permitting system
So the earliest realistic approval is about a month after a complete submittal. If the board continues an item, add a month for each cycle.
Is my house in the historic district?
Check the Town's Historic District Map, which links the 2010 property cards. The Town notes that "any changes to the historic designation after 2010 are not reflected on the Historic District Map and should be verified by staff." Confirm with Planning before you design, not after. Being inside the district changes what you can do to the front of the house.
Step by step
- Confirm the property is in the district using the Town's map, then with Planning staff.
- Read the HDPC guidelines and submittal checklist, both linked from the Town's HDPC page.
- Prepare drawings and materials for every exterior face that changes.
- Apply in OPAL at least four weeks before the meeting you are aiming for.
- Attend the second-Monday meeting.
- Apply for the building permit through the Town once the design is approved. Trade subcontractors pull their own permits.
How this differs from I'On and the rest of Mount Pleasant
Old Village review is municipal: a Town commission with a published ordinance, public meetings and a public record. Neighborhoods like I'On are governed by private covenants and their own design committee instead. A house outside both answers only to the building permit and zoning. See our I'On design review guide and the Mount Pleasant renovation permit guide.
Plan your Old Village project Tell us about your project · we map the approvals before the build scheduleFrequently asked
When does the Mount Pleasant Historic District Preservation Commission meet?
The second Monday of each month at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, unless the Town's annual schedule notes otherwise.
What is the HDPC submittal deadline?
Four weeks before each meeting. Applications go through OPAL, the Town of Mount Pleasant's online permitting system.
Do I need approval to replace windows in the Old Village?
The HDPC reviews all exterior changes to buildings and property in the district, so window replacement on a district property goes through the commission before work starts.
How do I know if my house is in the Old Village Historic District?
Check the Town's Historic District Map, then confirm with Planning staff. The Town says designation changes made after 2010 are not shown on the map.
Related guides and services
- Remodeling in Mount Pleasant
- Kitchen remodeling in Mount Pleasant
- Bathroom remodeling in Mount Pleasant
- Whole-home renovation in Mount Pleasant
- Mount Pleasant kitchen cost guide
- Mount Pleasant renovation permit guide
- I'On design review guide
Sources
Rules and dates change. The official pages above are the authority, and this guide was last checked on 13 October 2026. See all permit and design-review guides.