A North Charleston couple is challenging the city's zoning regulations after being cited for a large-scale mural they commissioned for their property, sparking a broader debate about artistic expression in residential neighborhoods.
Christina and Josh Jettie, residents of the Park Circle area, hired local artist Riivo Kruuk to paint an elaborate mural on the exterior wall of their guest house earlier this year. The striking artwork features a portrait of a woman against a black background, with a cormorant's beak resting on top of her head and its camouflage-colored wings draped around the bottom of her face. The piece was created as a tribute to the couple's love for birds.
After the mural was completed in May, the Jetties received a formal notice from the city's zoning department informing them that their artwork violated municipal regulations governing signs in residential districts. The couple is now appealing this decision before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, with a hearing scheduled for August 4.
Beyond their personal appeal, the Jetties are advocating for broader policy changes that would allow murals in residential areas, similar to the permissions already granted for commercial districts. Christina Jettie emphasized that they are not seeking special treatment but rather hoping to initiate citywide reforms that would benefit other residents and artists.
"We want the city to consider an ordinance that allows murals in residential districts, just like they are in commercial areas," Christina Jettie explained.
The contrast between residential and commercial mural policies is evident throughout North Charleston. Just two miles from the Jetties' home, Park Circle's commercial district along East Montague and Spruill avenues features numerous colorful murals that add vibrancy to the area. The Assembly at Park Circle apartments displays a large geometric mural adorned with magnolia flowers, while local businesses like the Tattooed Moose showcase an octopus design and Ciudad Bonita features bright floral artwork on its facade. A retro-themed mural welcoming visitors to Park Circle decorates a brick wall outside the Olde Village Market and Deli.
Susan McAdoo, a local pianist who owns the building housing Studio Union, a professional art space for ceramists and mixed media artists, has observed the growth of North Charleston's artistic community with enthusiasm. She noted that the city is developing a distinctive artistic identity that differs from downtown Charleston's aesthetic.
"Watching the grittier art scene develop, thrive and grow in North Charleston has been really exciting," McAdoo said. She praised the supportive nature of the local art community and highlighted various opportunities for residents to engage with the scene, including public art installations and community-wide events like art walks.
The Jetties, who describe themselves as longtime art collectors with a particular focus on supporting local artists, viewed the mural commission as another way to contribute to the artistic community. Before proceeding with the project, they conducted online research to find regulations governing murals in the city but were unable to locate clear guidelines. They also consulted with their neighbors, all of whom expressed approval for the planned artwork.
Since the mural's installation, Christina Jettie reports that they have received exclusively positive feedback from people walking through the neighborhood, with no complaints from residents.
The legal issue stems from North Charleston's zoning code, which classifies murals as signs. Under current regulations, signs in residential districts cannot exceed eight square feet and may only display noncommercial messages. The code explicitly prohibits advertising and off-site commercial messages in residential areas. Permitted signage includes yard signs, signs mounted on fences or doors, and signs displayed on walls and windows, provided they comply with size restrictions.
Commercial districts operate under more lenient rules, with size limits that can reach up to 200 square feet depending on the sign's location, though restrictions still apply.
City Councilman Brandon Hudson, who represents the district where the Jetties live, acknowledged the reasoning behind the residential restrictions. "The rules for advertising in residential districts are fairly restrictive for obvious reasons. You don't want people putting billboards on the sides of their houses," Hudson explained.
The North Charleston situation echoes a similar controversy that occurred in Mount Pleasant nearly a decade ago. In that case, a large mural featuring portraits of Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, and Al Capone painted on Moe's Southwest Grill by Portuguese artist Sergio Odeith violated the town's size regulations. After the business lost an appeal at the town's Board of Zoning Appeals hearing, a settlement was eventually reached in a civil case in Charleston County. The resolution allowed the mural to remain and prompted the town to modify its zoning code to permit certain types of murals.
Inspired by Mount Pleasant's eventual policy change, the Jetties hope to achieve similar reforms in North Charleston. Both Christina and Josh presented public comments at the North Charleston City Council meeting on July 10, formally requesting that council members consider voting on an ordinance to allow murals in residential neighborhoods and on residential streets.
Their presentation received support from various community members, including neighbors, local artists, and a teacher from the nearby Charleston County School of the Arts, all of whom spoke in favor of permitting residential murals during the public comment period.
However, Christina Jettie noted that subsequent feedback from city officials has focused primarily on their appeal process rather than addressing their broader request for policy reform through City Council action.
The issue gained additional attention during the following City Council meeting on July 25, when Coyle Kinard, a Park Circle resident and former deputy police chief for the city, voiced opposition to changing the current regulations. Speaking during public comment, Kinard expressed his agreement with the city's existing ordinance that classifies murals as signs and advertisements.
"I think the ordinance should stay the same," Kinard stated. "I don't think it should be changed because you're going to open Pandora's box."
The Jetties' case highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and municipal regulations, particularly as cities across the country grapple with how to balance property rights, neighborhood aesthetics, and cultural development. Their appeal and advocacy efforts may set a precedent for how North Charleston approaches public art and community beautification in residential areas.
As the August 4 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing approaches, the outcome could have implications not only for the Jetties' mural but also for future artistic projects in North Charleston's residential neighborhoods. The case underscores broader questions about how municipalities can support and regulate artistic expression while maintaining community standards and addressing residents' concerns about neighborhood character and property values.
The debate reflects North Charleston's growing identity as an arts-friendly community, with supporters arguing that allowing residential murals could further enhance the city's reputation as a destination for artists and creative professionals. Critics, however, worry about potential negative impacts on property values and neighborhood cohesion if mural regulations are relaxed.
Regardless of the immediate outcome, the Jetties' advocacy has already sparked important conversations about the role of public art in residential communities and the need for clear, fair policies that balance artistic freedom with legitimate municipal concerns about neighborhood planning and aesthetic standards.
