Locksmith Services in Charleston, SC

Homes and locks in Charleston

The Charleston single house appears across historic Charleston. Seen from the street it is one room wide, with its narrow gable end on the sidewalk and a piazza, the local word for a porch, along the side that holds the front door. The door at the sidewalk is only a screen between the street and the private piazza; the actual front door sits halfway along the piazza. That can mean two doors and two keys, so in a lockout say whether you are stuck at the street door or the house door.

Rentals on the peninsula

The city's residential rental registration pilot began in 2023 in Cannonborough-Elliotborough, whose neighborhood association asked for it, citing the most disturbance calls in 2021 of any residential neighborhood on the peninsula. It was later extended to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough citing the number of college rental properties there. In blocks of student rentals, lock rekeying between tenants retires old keys while the existing lock stays in the door.

West Ashley

West of the Ashley River, the first neighborhoods were developed in the 1950s, and the largest wave of homes and businesses came in the 1970s and 1980s, after suburban highways eased commuting. Neighborhoods include Windermere, Forest Lakes, Hickory Hill and Shadowmoss Plantation. Major retailers settled here because the large lots big-box stores need were not available on the historic peninsula, along roads such as Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Savannah Highway and Ashley River Road. For storefront and office doors, see commercial locksmith.

Shops and offices in the historic districts

In the city's historic districts, the Board of Architectural Review reviews all new construction, alterations and renovations visible from the public right-of-way, while most minor alterations, such as painting, signage and repairs, are typically reviewed by city staff. A new street-facing shop door is a visible change, so ask city staff before ordering one; rekeying works inside the existing lock.

Car trouble in Charleston

City garages include the Majestic at 211 King Street, Marion Square at 399 King, Midtown at 558 King and the Charleston Tech Center garage at 4 Conroy Street. During emergencies with probable flooding or high winds, the city may open certain garages to city residents during set times. For a car lockout in any garage, give the garage name and level.

Local rules worth knowing

City Code Sec. 7-125 through 7-134 set out the rental registration pilot. Under Sec. 7-128(e), the landlord or its agent must be able to service tenant and emergency calls within a reasonable time upon dispatch, and under Sec. 7-128(f) the landlord must post the names, addresses and phone numbers of the landlord and/or responsible local representative in plain view inside the unit.

A Board of Architectural Review policy statement adopted September 13, 2006 covers hurricane panels over doors and windows in the Old and Historic and Old City districts. Panels may go up only when a storm is approaching and must come down within 14 days after the threat passes; permanent fasteners must be recessed and flush with the trim, and tracks and raised bolts are not permitted. If panels cover one door, keep a working key for the door you will use. This is general information, not legal advice.

Requesting service in Charleston

South Carolina Locksmith Pros takes service requests from homes, businesses and drivers in Charleston. Include the neighborhood or cross streets and, for a single house, whether the problem is the street door or the piazza door. Related pages: house lockout and South Carolina.