Real, not promotional, photos (Charleston: house, neighborhoods, law)

[Aulani]

Greetings! I've found some great photos of neighborhoods/downtown(s)/traffic, etc. posted by local, amateur, shutter bugs on some other forums - is there anyone participating in this one that would be willing to post some of their own local snapshots? I'm looking for something beyond the traditional promo shots (as beautiful as the historic buildlings are, I'd really like to see something more than that).
Is there a city skyline to be had in Charleston? The aerial shots on Google maps are great, but somewhat sterile looking.
Am I asking too much?

After 8 years, I'm looking to leave Maine & begin a new adventure , if my house ever sells in this market, (- & please, I'm only a transplanted "Yankee", not that [i]I[i] have a problem with that, however).
Your beautiful city is one of a few places that I'm considering (including Charlotte & Raleigh NC) & the more I learn, the more I find I like it.
I'd appreciate any insight you may offer! Thanks a million!

[SCDweller]

Charleston is indeed beautiful, the skyline is not what you will find in other cities due to the restrictions placed upon the city. I am not sure exactly of the codes, but no skyscrapers or any of the such can be built. The most traditional "skyline" is the shot of the homes on the battery...

[OrangeCountyGirl]

Is it true that no buildings can be taller than the tallest steeple in town?

[Shannon2027]

Aulani~
Can you tell me some of the sites that you have found these photos at? I would love to see them.
Thank you!

[SCDweller]

Maybe someone else can help me with the exact law, but my understanding is that is correct. The tallest buildings that are allowed, have been built.

[DJShymansky]

You're correct. It's not a "you can't build taller than the church spires" law per se, but you can read the code here. http://www.municode.com/Resources/ga...d=14049&sid=40

The applicable provision, as far as I can see, is the following subsection for each district:

4. Notwithstanding the above, no portion of a structure, which structure is within fifty (50) feet of an existing building rated "exceptional" (Group 1) or "excellent" (Group 2) on the Historic Architecture Inventory adopted by Section 54-235 shall exceed the height of such existing building unless approved by the Board of Architectural Review.

And the exceptions, of course...

The height limitations of 54-306 shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, port cranes and movable passenger cruise boarding ramps not intended or used for human occupancy, monuments, masts and aerials.

[SCDweller]

Thanks for the further information DJ.

[DCartisan]

Because of these limitations Charleston is a unique, beautiful city. I had a professor once tell me that you could stand on the outskirts of most major cities and they would all look alike. However, with its distinctive steeples and unique rooflines, Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in the US. I agree, especially with the new bridge as a backdrop.

[Captain Ed]

Google Maps has a neat applet where you can view users' pictures from Picasa and Panoramio based on your current map view. Go to Google Maps, click the "My Maps" tab in the upper left corner, then tick the boxes for "Photos from Panoramio" and "Photos from Picasa Web Albums".

[Jim3310]

Charleston is known as the 'Holy City'
Our skyline is church steeples.
If you can get the 'bridge' in the background, so much the better.

But, as in any city, the superficial skyline shot tells you nothing.
Up close it's a whole different story, it's just that in our case;
It's a good story...