Commitment to Value

In the interest of preserving natural habitat, KDP has placed varying special covenants on its residential neighborhoods over and above the basic Island-wide covenants. Depending on the individual site, they include home maximums of 4,500 to 5,000 square feet; ground coverage limits of 30 or 33 percent of the homesite; height restrictions of 35 or 40 feet above the natural grade; structures limited to one and a half or, at most, two floors, with the second floor positioned in the roof structure.

In addition, covenants place an emphasis in many areas on dark-hued colors and natural materials, preservation of natural vegetation in undisturbed condition and the addition of many native plant and tree species. Homes along the Kiawah Island Club’s golf courses, for example, must also feature two appealing facades, facing the street and course, and (as required) add grand trees between the home and course to "filter" views of the course and add a true sense of "pure golf" to those playing the private Fazio and Watson courses.

Kiawah is unique in that it is growing yearly at a significant pace by sand accretion along its ten mile beachfront. Unlike many barrier islands that lose a portion of their land area every year, Kiawah has steadily grown and increased for over a century. A 1999 study found that over a period of 16 years, the Island’s net gain in sand volume was estimated at five-to-seven million cubic yards. Self-imposed front beach development setbacks— a 200-foot minimum setback from the beach for oceanfront property — provide a permanent buffer to protect the innate beauty of the beach and multiple dune rows for all to see and enjoy permanently. KDP deeded this valuable dune land, about 300-400 acres, in all, to the Kiawah Island Community Association to forever be green space.

The area’s investment value was also enhanced several years ago when KDP put into permanent conservation 151+/- acres of pristine ocean front high ground known as Little Bear Island by Conservation Easement to the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy.