How much is being built on Johns Island?
Inside City of Charleston limits on Johns Island, 109 new-construction permits were issued in 2026 through October 14, versus 103 over the same stretch of 2025. The City counts 2,970 vested housing units on the island, 1,389 of them complete and about 1,396 still to be built. The Mark Clark extension is cancelled, and Main Road and Maybank Highway work is under way.
By Barry Cunningham, REALTOR®. Updated October 21, 2026.
How many permits and homes are in the pipeline?
City of Charleston jurisdiction only. Unincorporated Charleston County parts of Johns Island are not in the City data, and the county has no public permit feed.
- 138new-construction permits, 2024
- 117permits, 2025
- 109permits, 2026 through Oct 14 (vs 103 same period 2025)
- 2,970vested housing units in City plans
- 1,389of those units complete
- ~1,396units still to be built
| Year | Total | Single-family or duplex | Multifamily | Commercial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 138 | 125 | 3 | 10 |
| 2025 | 117 | 99 | 12 | 6 |
| 2026 YTD | 109 | 106 | 0 | 3 |
2026 is a partial year through October 14. A permit is not a housing unit: the 12 multifamily permits in 2025 belong to one 90-unit apartment project.
What changed this year?
Permit volume is up slightly from last year at the same point, and almost all of it is single-family and duplex homes (106 of 109). Of the 1,396 vested units still to be built, the biggest blocks are the Wooddale plan off Plow Ground Road (430 units, entitled) and Maybank Walk (161 townhomes, in review). Most of the rest sit in the City’s Technical Review Committee, where a plan can go through several rounds before approval. On the road side, the Mark Clark extension is off the table, Main Road Segment A is under construction, and the Maybank Highway fourth lane is in final design.
What projects are under way or proposed?
Status as of October 21, 2026. “Status unconfirmed” means my sources predate a milestone or disagree, so I’m not stating a date. TRC “revise and return” means the plan needs changes and another review; it is not a denial.
Roads
-
Main Road Corridor, Segment A (US 17 flyover and Main Rd widening)
Under construction- Where
- Main Rd from Bees Ferry Rd in West Ashley, across US 17 and the Limehouse Bridge, to River Rd and Chisolm Rd on Johns Island (about 2.4 miles)
- Size
- $354.3M design-build contract. New flyover ramps at US 17, Main Rd widened to two lanes each way to River/Chisolm Rd, a new CSX rail bridge and a 12-ft shared-use path of nearly 3 miles.
- Who decides
- Charleston County (2016 transportation sales tax)
- Latest
- Project newsletter, Aug 2026
- Next
- Substantial completion, contract date Sep 27, 2028
Sources: mainroadcorridor.com · Segment A newsletter (Aug 2026, PDF)
-
Main Rd / River Rd / Chisolm Rd roundabout
Status unconfirmed- Where
- Intersection of Main Rd, River Rd and Chisolm Rd
- Size
- Single-lane roundabout built under the Segment A contract
- Who decides
- Charleston County
- Latest
- Reported nearly finished, Oct 2026
- Next
- Check the project site for current traffic status
Sources: ABC News 4 · mainroadcorridor.com
-
Maybank Highway fourth lane (River Rd to the Stono River bridge)
Approved- Where
- Maybank Hwy from River Rd to the Paul Gelegotis (Stono River) Bridge
- Size
- Adds a second outbound lane for four lanes total, plus turn lanes at Fenwick Hall Allee and into Indigo Grove. About $10M, from former Mark Clark funds.
- Who decides
- Charleston County (lead), with the City and SCDOT; state-owned road
- Latest
- In final design, Sep 2026
- Next
- Bid and construction start. Published start dates conflict, so check with the county.
Sources: Charleston County Roads · Live 5
-
Maybank Highway Northern Pitchfork (Pitchfork Rd)
Complete- Where
- New road linking Fenwick Hall Allee and River Rd, north of Maybank Hwy
- Size
- New connector road. The county's third and final phase of the Maybank corridor work begun in 2004.
- Who decides
- Charleston County, with the City
- Latest
- 2024
- Next
- None. About $1.8M left in the budget went to designing the fourth lane (Apr 2024).
Sources: Charleston County Roads · Live 5
-
Maybank Highway Southern Pitchfork
Planned- Where
- New road from Cane Slash Rd at River Rd to Maybank Hwy near John Fenwick Ln
- Size
- $65M on the 2026 transportation sales tax project list
- Who decides
- Charleston County
- Latest
- Added to the referendum list, Jul 22, 2026
- Next
- Funded only if the Nov 3, 2026 referendum passes
-
Main Rd at Mary Ann Point roundabout
Planned- Where
- Main Rd at Mary Ann Point Rd
- Size
- $5M on the 2026 transportation sales tax project list
- Who decides
- Charleston County
- Latest
- Added to the referendum list, Jul 22, 2026
- Next
- Funded only if the Nov 3, 2026 referendum passes
-
Main Road Corridor, Segments B and C
Cancelled- Where
- Main Rd from River Rd to Maybank Hwy (B); Bohicket Rd from Maybank Hwy to Betsy Kerrison Pkwy (C)
- Size
- Road-widening projects. No current cost published.
- Who decides
- Charleston County
- Latest
- Segment C stopped after the Feb 6, 2025 Finance Committee update; Segment B listed as inactive
- Next
- None scheduled
Sources: Segment B page · Segment C page
-
I-526 Mark Clark Expressway extension
Cancelled- Where
- Was planned from West Ashley across Johns Island to the James Island Expressway
- Size
- Was estimated at about $420M in state money plus a county share of more than $1.8B. The county is reallocating about $78M it had set aside or got back.
- Who decides
- Charleston County, SCDOT and the SC Transportation Infrastructure Bank
- Latest
- Agreement ended by the SC Transportation Infrastructure Bank, May 12, 2025
- Next
- Reallocated money going to other road projects. The January 2026 proposal included $10M for the Maybank fourth lane, $15M for Main Road corridor improvements and $2M for a River Rd and Brownswood Rd roundabout.
Sources: Charleston City Paper · Live 5 · Post and Courier
Residential
-
Maybank PUD and concept plan
In review- Where
- 3294 and 3280 Maybank Hwy and Fern Hill Dr
- Size
- 62 lots on about 13.5 acres (PUD about 15.6 acres). Rezoning to PUD.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- On the City Planning Commission agenda, Oct 21, 2026
- Next
- The Planning Commission recommends; City Council decides. Council dates not yet posted.
-
Maybank Walk (formerly Fenwick Hills)
In review- Where
- Burnswick Dr, off Maybank Hwy
- Size
- 161 townhomes on 60.6 acres. Builder: Mungo Homes.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- 4th TRC review, Aug 20, 2026: revise and return
- Next
- Resubmittal to the City's Technical Review Committee
Source: TRC agenda, Aug 20, 2026
-
Wooddale (Plow Ground Road and River Road PUD)
Approved- Where
- Plow Ground Rd near River Rd
- Size
- Entitled for 430 units. Phase 1: 139 single-family lots on 77.3 acres (Lennar).
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Phase 1 road plans, 10th TRC review Sep 24, 2026: revise and return
- Next
- Phase 1 road-plan approval
Sources: TRC agenda, Sep 24, 2026 · Live 5
-
The Grove at Fenwick
Under construction- Where
- Laurel Oak Ln (The Village at Fenwick)
- Size
- 90 affordable apartments in 3 buildings plus a clubhouse. Permit valuations about $14.6M.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Building permits issued Sep 16, 2025
- Next
- Completion (date not published)
Source: City permits (GIS)
-
Indigo Grove, Phase 2
In review- Where
- Off Maybank Hwy (The Kerr Tract PUD)
- Size
- 42 lots on 32.8 acres (Stanley Martin Homes). Phase 1's 72 units are complete in City data.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Road plans at TRC May 14, 2026, close to approval
- Next
- Phase 2 road construction
Source: TRC agenda, May 14, 2026
-
Kiawah River (Planned Development)
Under construction- Where
- Off Betsy Kerrison Pkwy and Mullet Hall Rd, southern Johns Island
- Size
- 1,427 acres. Up to 1,285 homes (at least 117 workforce), 80,000 sq ft commercial, 450 lodging rooms, at least 635 acres of open space. About 400 homes existed as of Aug 2026.
- Who decides
- Charleston County (unincorporated)
- Latest
- Ongoing build-out, Aug 2026
- Next
- Development agreement (2009, 25 years) runs to about 2034
Sources: Charleston County · Live 5
-
Orange Hill (homes and golf course)
Status unconfirmed- Where
- Off Bohicket Rd and River Rd
- Size
- 120 homes (down from 180) and a golf course on about 933 acres, including a conservancy tract of more than 200 acres
- Who decides
- Charleston County (unincorporated)
- Latest
- County Planning Commission 9-0; Council first reading Jun 24, 2025
- Next
- Final adoption not confirmed in sources checked. Check with the county.
Sources: Live 5 (Jun 2025) · Charleston County
Commercial
-
Jubilee (hotel, cottages and shops)
Approved- Where
- Maybank Hwy at Wildts Battery Blvd
- Size
- About 13.4 acres: 75 hotel rooms, 65 cottages, restaurants and shops
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- PUD approved by City Council; design before the Design Review Board, Sep 2026
- Next
- Final design approval and TRC site-plan approval
Sources: Live 5 · TRC agenda, May 14, 2026
-
Trident Health freestanding emergency department
Status unconfirmed- Where
- 3075 Maybank Hwy (56-acre site)
- Size
- About 11,700 sq ft with 11 treatment rooms. Permit valuation $9.15M.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Building permit issued Oct 3, 2025
- Next
- Opening status not confirmed in sources checked
Sources: Post and Courier · City permits (GIS)
-
Maybank corridor commercial site plans
In review- Where
- Maybank Hwy corridor
- Size
- Maybank Landing (13.68 acres), Shoppes at Fenwick Allee (1.59 acres), Live Oak Square commercial (3.64 acres), Hickory Knoll Dental (2 buildings, 5.36 acres), an oil-change shop at 3557 Maybank Hwy and Southwind Station revisions (5.6 acres)
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Latest TRC reviews Aug 13 to Oct 15, 2026
- Next
- TRC approvals, then building permits
Sources: TRC agenda, Oct 15, 2026 · TRC agenda, Oct 8, 2026 · TRC agenda, Aug 13, 2026
-
Recently permitted commercial buildings
Approved- Where
- Epic Pl and 660 Hayes Park Blvd
- Size
- Brewery production building (21,589 sq ft) and taproom at Epic Pl, permits about $16.8M. Restaurant shell building at 660 Hayes Park Blvd (3,414 sq ft, $1.05M).
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Permits issued Sep 2025 (Epic Pl) and Oct 7, 2026 (Hayes Park)
- Next
- Construction and opening dates not published
Source: City permits (GIS)
Public facilities
-
Charleston Fire Station 23
Under construction- Where
- Maybank Hwy at Wildts Battery Blvd
- Size
- $12.4M guaranteed maximum price, approved Dec 17, 2024
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Reported on schedule, Aug 15, 2026
- Next
- Opening (date not confirmed)
Sources: ABC News 4 · Live 5 (Dec 2024)
-
Johns Island Recreation and Aquatic Facility
Approved- Where
- 140 Kathryn Ross Way (14.64 acres)
- Size
- About 50,000 sq ft: 25-meter pool, therapy pool, basketball, volleyball and 4 indoor pickleball courts, meeting rooms, plus outdoor courts, a playground and a splash pad. Funded by the 2023 bond referendum.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- TRC site plan near approval, May 28, 2026
- Next
- Construction start. The City and news reports give different timelines, so check the City project page.
Sources: City project page · TRC agenda, May 28, 2026
-
County public safety complex and St. John's Fire station (Kiawah River Dr)
Planned- Where
- Kiawah River Dr
- Size
- Fire station of about 11,000 sq ft on 3 leased acres. Proposed county complex with EMS, a sheriff's substation and satellite dispatch, funded with about $14M in bonds.
- Who decides
- Charleston County / St. John's Fire District
- Latest
- Before County Finance Committee, Aug 2026
- Next
- County approval of the land and bonds
Sources: Live 5 (Aug 2026) · Live 5 (Oct 2025)
-
Angel Oak Preserve
In review- Where
- Around Angel Oak Park, Protected Path
- Size
- About 44 acres. Project cost $13.5M, raised by the Lowcountry Land Trust.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston, with the Lowcountry Land Trust
- Latest
- Design Review Board preliminary approval Jan 2026; TRC Feb 2026
- Next
- Construction start (date not set)
Sources: Live 5 · Lowcountry Land Trust
Plans and ballot measures
-
2026 Charleston County transportation sales tax referendum
Planned- Where
- Countywide. Johns Island items include the Southern Pitchfork ($65M) and the Main Rd at Mary Ann Point roundabout ($5M).
- Size
- About $4.25B over 25 years: roads $2.7B, transit $858M, Greenbelt land protection $690M. It would continue the existing half-cent tax.
- Who decides
- Charleston County
- Latest
- Placed on the ballot by County Council, Jul 2026
- Next
- On the Nov 3, 2026 general election ballot
Sources: Live 5 · 2026 TST proposed projects (County GIS)
-
City Johns Island Community Plan and draft traffic-review ordinance
In review- Where
- City of Charleston portions of Johns Island
- Size
- The City's Johns Island Community Plan (46 pages) was adopted in November 2007. In October 2026 the City drafted an ordinance to require wider traffic-impact review for new developments.
- Who decides
- City of Charleston
- Latest
- Ordinance drafted, Oct 2026
- Next
- City Council consideration (date not set)
Sources: Johns Island Community Plan (2007) · Live 5
-
Urban Growth Boundary and rural land protection
In review- Where
- Island-wide. Per the Lowcountry Land Trust, about 80% of Johns Island is outside the Urban Growth Boundary and about 8% is under conservation easement.
- Size
- Recent protection: 66 acres secured for a future county park at Simmons Creek (Jun 2025) and 6 acres added along the Plow Ground Rd corridor (Mar 2026).
- Who decides
- Charleston County and City of Charleston
- Latest
- Oct 2026
- Next
- The referendum's Greenbelt money would fund more land protection if it passes
Sources: Lowcountry Land Trust · Live 5 (Simmons Creek) · Urban Growth Boundary (County GIS)
How can I follow along?
Every Monday I post the week’s Johns Island meetings, rezonings and site plans on Community Happenings, each linked to the official agenda. To go straight to the source:
- City of Charleston Agenda Center (Planning Commission, TRC, City Council)
- Charleston County public input portal (County Planning Commission, Council)
- Main Road Corridor project site
- Charleston County Maybank Highway project page
The City Planning Commission makes recommendations and City Council decides. Rezonings in unincorporated areas go to the County Planning Commission and County Council. Most boards take public comment in person and in writing; the agenda for each meeting explains how.
Common questions
Is the Mark Clark extension still happening?
No. The SC Transportation Infrastructure Bank board voted on May 12, 2025 to end the agreement for the I-526 extension across Johns Island. Charleston County is reallocating the roughly $78 million it had set aside or got back to other road projects, including the Maybank Highway fourth lane and Main Road corridor work.
What’s being built on Maybank Highway?
Charleston County is designing a fourth lane between River Road and the Stono River bridge, with turn lanes at Fenwick Hall Allee and Indigo Grove. Along the corridor, Fire Station 23 is under construction, Jubilee (hotel, cottages and shops) is approved, and several commercial and residential site plans, including Maybank Walk and the Maybank PUD, are in City review.
When will the Main Road flyover be finished?
The Segment A design-build contract lists substantial completion on September 27, 2028. That covers the US 17 flyover ramps, Main Road widening to River and Chisolm Roads and a new CSX rail bridge. Segments B and C, farther south, are inactive or stopped.
How many new homes are planned on Johns Island?
In City of Charleston jurisdiction, the City’s vested-development data shows 2,970 units in 33 approved or pending plans, with about 1,396 still to be built. That leaves out unincorporated county land such as Kiawah River, which is approved for up to 1,285 homes on its own.
What is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for roads?
Charleston County voters will decide whether to continue the half-cent transportation sales tax: about $4.25 billion over 25 years for roads, transit and Greenbelt land protection. Johns Island items on the list include the Maybank Highway Southern Pitchfork ($65 million) and a roundabout at Main Road and Mary Ann Point ($5 million).
Why don’t these numbers include the whole island?
Johns Island is split between the City of Charleston and unincorporated Charleston County, and only the City publishes permit and development data in a form that can be counted. County-side growth, including Kiawah River and Orange Hill, is covered in the project list but not in the totals.
Sources and method
Data through October 14, 2026; page checked October 21, 2026. Permit counts: City of Charleston New_Construction_Permits layer, permits whose location falls inside Charleston County's Johns Island planning-area boundary (plus 2026 permits with a Johns Island address but no map point). Permits with a Johns Island mailing address that sit in West Ashley were excluded. A permit is not a housing unit: one apartment project can carry several permits. Vested units: City of Charleston Vested_Residential_Developments layer, records that intersect the Johns Island planning-area boundary. Units use FINAL_UNITS and REMAINING_UNITS. Jubilee's site plan and plat are counted once.
- City of Charleston, New Construction Permits (GIS)
- City of Charleston, Vested Residential Developments (GIS)
- Charleston County, Johns Island planning area (GIS)
Project details come from City of Charleston and Charleston County agendas and GIS layers, project websites, and local news reports (Live 5, ABC News 4, Post and Courier, Charleston City Paper), linked on each card. News reports are summarized, not quoted. Dates change; confirm anything important with the agency running the project. This page takes no position on any project or ballot measure.