News Release

Town Launches Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio

October 14, 2021

The Town of Hilton Head Island has launched its Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio to assist property and business owners with a range of tasks related to developing property, starting businesses and accessing resources.

"We want to support those residents who want to develop their property, start a business or have other pressing needs for their land" said Sheryse DuBose, PhD, Historic Neighborhoods Preservation Administrator for the Town. "Our goal is to be a one-stop resource center to help property and business owners navigate the Town's land use and development standards, prepare development applications and resolve some barriers with property use such as property buffers, setbacks, easements and rights-of-way."

DuBose said reducing barriers to property development will help preserve the Island’s historic neighborhoods where generations of families live and strive to preserve their communities and culture.

Through the Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio, residents and property and business owners will receive assistance with:

• Property development permits. 
• Family compounds and family subdivisions.
• Conceptual site design.
• Addressing.
• Property access.
• Business licenses.
• Connections to additional resources for heirs’ property, property taxes and business development.

Hilton Head Island historic neighborhoods include Squire Pope, Little Stoney, Big Stoney, Jarvis, Jonesville, Old House Creek, Spanish Wells, Gardner, Chaplin, Marshland, Grassland, Big Hill, Mitchelville and Baygall. These neighborhoods are home to many of Hilton Head Island's Gullah Geechee families for whom preserving valuable heirs' property, developing land, and preserving these historic neighborhoods and way of life passed down to them are paramount.

To access services of the Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio, property and business owners may contact Sheryse DuBose, PhD, at 843-341-4683 or by email at SheryseD@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.