Latest news

Update on Revisions to the Short Term Rental Ordinance

As previously mentioned, Town Council will consider changes to the existing ordinance that regulates the operation of short term rentals at their October 1 meeting.

Staff is working on revisions to the initial draft that will incorporate public comments and feedback. Look for additional communication next week that will include a revised draft.

Post Hurricane Dorian Updates

Debris Zone Collection Update

Debris collection is ongoing and on schedule. Following the schedule listed here, there will be additional collections of all zones until completion. We appreciate your patience as crews work through the island.

Brown Trash and Hazardous Waste | September 27

Brown Trash and Hazardous Waste Collection was rescheduled for Friday, September 27. All brown trash must be placed on the curb by 7:00 a.m. to ensure collection. Hazardous Waste must be brought to the Municipal Center (4475 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy) for disposal between 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Hazardous material cannot be placed at the curb. More information on what classifies for this type of collection can be found here.

Beach Drone Footage

Following Hurricane Dorian’s impact, the Town collected drone footage of the beach provided below:

2019-2020 Budget At A Glance

Have you ever wondered how the Towns budget is managed, where funding comes from or where it is spent? In addition to the transparency webpage, the Town publishes an annual budget at a glance report that summarizes the next year’s budget outlook and spending. The 2019-2020 Budget at a Glance is now available here.

Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Effect

As of September 8, all businesses within the Town are now prohibited from distributing single-use plastic carryout bags, plastic straws, and products made from polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). The ordinance also prohibits the possession of these items and balloons on the beach. These items are the most common products that escape into the ocean and waterways and harm our local marine life. Read more

Please be aware that the next King Tide that could affect the island will occur September 25 - October 2. King Tides are the highest seasonal tides that naturally occur each year. In some cases, they may barely even be noticed. In other cases, a King Tide may cause flooding of low-lying areas and disruption to normal daily routines. This is particularly true when a King Tide event coincides with significant precipitation.

CERT Team Openings

Residents are invited to join the Town of Kiawah Island's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT offers training opportunities that enable volunteers to assist with light search and rescue, damage assessments, and more. Meetings are quarterly. Interested parties should contact Scott Nelson at cscottnels@gmail.com.

Kiawah Island Triathlon Reschedule Date | October 13

The Kiawah Triathlon has been rescheduled to October 13 due to Hurricane Dorian. For the majority of the run, runners will be on the bike path. Residents and guests should avoid traveling on the bike path parallel to the Kiawah Island Parkway (between Night Heron Park and the V-gate) from 8:55 a.m. to 12.p.m.

Road Closures: All roads will be open with the exception of Sea Forest Drive at Night Heron Park (after Summer Duck Way and before the three way stop at Mariner’s Watch). This section will be closed until approximately 11:30 a.m.

Safety: Deputies and race volunteers will be at all major intersections assisting with traffic control. Please use extreme caution while driving on the island on race morning, giving bikes and runners the right of way.

For more information contact the Night Heron Park Nature Center at 843.768.6001.

Please use extreme caution while driving on the island on race morning, giving participants the right of way. View a map of the race route.

Sea Turtle Research Fundraiser

The Town is excited to announce a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the Kiawah Island Community Association, and the Kiawah Conservancy to support a project that is near and dear to all of us, the Northern Recovery Unit Loggerhead DNA Project.

This genetic project has been in existence for over a decade and covers all of the turtle nests in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and several beaches in northern Florida. Dr. Brian Shamblin, from the University of Georgia (UGA), leads this exciting research project. UGA researchers extract maternal DNA from eggs to identify the individual female associated with each nest and develop a census of the nesting population.

Since this is a multi-state approach, we are learning invaluable information about loggerhead nesting patterns along over 1,000 miles of the southeast coastline.

In the past, this project has been fully funded by a federal grant; however, that is no longer the situation. Due to a decrease in federal funding, the project will likely shut down if the necessary funds are not raised. Learn more

Turtle Patrol is happy to report that Kiawah did not lose

any nests due to Hurricane Dorian.

Nesting/Hatching Reminders

Turtle Patrol loves to share the sea turtle experience with guests and residents. Find out more on tagging along or observing a nest inventory here. Check out all the pictures from this turtle patrol season on Facebook and Instagram.

Keep artificial lights off the beach at night during nesting season – this includes beachfront property lights, flashlights and flash photography, which can disorient nesting mothers and hatchlings. May through October all outdoor lighting facing the beachfront should be turned off from 9:00 p.m. to dawn. Free red flashlight filters are available at the Municipal Center and the Nature Center.

Always observe from a distance. Harming or interfering with sea turtles or their nests is against the law.

Keep our beaches and ocean clean by avoiding single-use plastics. Plastic bags and balloons are among the most common trash items found on South Carolina beaches and can cause injury or death when marine life mistake them for food (SCDNR). Read about Kiawah's recent ban on single-use plastics here.

In Case You Missed It | Previously Mentioned

Main Road Corridor Improvements

Manage your Berkeley Electric Account with SmartHub

St. Johns Fire District New Medical Squad

2019/2020 Arts Council Season Planner Released

The Town of Kiawah Island Arts & Cultural Events Council is pleased to announce the 2019/2020 event lineup with the release of the new season planner. This marks the 16th Arts Council season and the calendar includes 24 exciting events, six piano bars and four art films. Download your copy today!

Next Event

The Stephane Wrembel Band:

The Django Experiment

Sunday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Turtle Point Clubhouse

Fee: $10

Tickets Available Now

Town Council Meeting – October 1 | 2:00 p.m.

Planning Commission – October 2 | 3:00 p.m.

Arts & Cultural Events Council – October 3 | 2:00 p.m.

Arts Council Board – October 7 | 10:00 a.m.

Public Safety Committee – October 9 | 2:00 p.m.

Public Works Committee – October 14 | 10:00 a.m.

CERT Team - October 16 | 3:00 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals – October 21 | 3:00 p.m.

Ways and Means Committee – October 22 | 2:00 p.m.

(subject to change)

View agendas here

(843) 768-9166

www.kiawahisland.org