Adopt-A-Block

Newly launched for 2022, the Adopt-A-Block Program is a volunteer-based initiative where groups and individuals agree to monitor and maintain small sections of roadways on a regular basis, within the City limits. One of Mayor Tecklenburg’s core focus points for the City of Charleston is to “preserve and protect the neighborhood livability and resident quality of life that makes our city so special.”  We are fortunate to be residents of this great city and the Adopt-a-Block program provides an avenue for citizens to become actively involved in the most basic of livability and quality of life issues – preservation, upkeep and improvement of our physical surroundings. This initiative will ideally lead to a reduction in litter, a reduction in vandalism and crime, and ultimately a more prosperous and vibrant community for all.

Program Overview:

• Adoptions available for individuals or groups
• Adopters perform at least one clean-up per quarter (at least four per year)
• Clean-up results are reported online
• Adopters maintain the agreement for two years

Adopter Responsibilities:

All citizens who own or reside on property within the City of Charleston are required by City Ordinance to maintain their properties up to and including the curb. The goal of the Adopt A Block program is for citizens to join together to augment these base cleanup efforts and make them into fun, collaborative efforts that build a sense of community. It is our hope that adopters will encourage and motivate their neighbors, friends, and colleagues to join adopting groups or adopt blocks in front of their homes or workplaces. 

Adopter responsibilities should include:

• Keeping the exterior of both personal and public property free of litter
• Keeping the exterior of both personal and public property free of unsightly vegetative overgrowth 
• Removal of loose litter from along fences and wall bases, grassy and planted areas, curbs, borders, embankments and other lodging points
• Maintain tree wells and right-of-ways by removing vegetative overgrowth as necessary
• Removal of weeds along edges and cracks of sidewalks, curbs, etc. (sidewalk and strip sweepings must be picked up; please do not sweep into street or drains)

How to Participate:

• Decide which block(s) you wish to adopt.
• Check the map to see if your blocks are available.  Select your block and fill out the adoption form. 

Clean-Up Details:

• Due to budgetary considerations, volunteers are encouraged to use their own gloves and bags. However, materials can be made available upon request.
• Fill out and submit the Clean-Up Day Data Form at the end of your clean-up (accessed by clicking on your adopted road section). This form requests information such as how much trash and recycling you collected as well as the most common type of trash. Take note of any maintenance issues or needed work order items you see, as the form requests those as well.
• Please make use of your residential garbage, recycling, and bulk collection services to dispose of solid waste collected. Bulk items that are too large or heavy to fit into bags should be placed at the curb (not in the street). Please refer to Charleston County’s guide to what can be recycled, as recycling improper items may contaminate other recycled items or result in jamming and/or damage to recycling machinery.