Heritage Lakes, Bluffton, SC

Welcome to Heritage Lakes

Heritage Lakes is a planned residential community in Bluffton, South Carolina. It sits at the corner of Bluffton Parkway and Heritage Lakes Drive (SC 29910) off Highway 278, near the bridge to Hilton Head Island. First developed in the 1990s, it offers classic Lowcountry living less than 2 miles from Old Town Bluffton.

Key neighborhood highlights

• Golf-cart-friendly: Residents may operate golf carts on local streets in compliance with South Carolina state law.
• Close to town: Less than 2 miles from historic Old Town Bluffton, with convenient golf cart access to local dining, boutique shopping, art galleries and the May River waterfront. Chick-fil-A is about a mile away.
• Large lots: Homesites range from one-third of an acre to over an acre, and many have views of the community's lagoons and natural wetlands.
• Boat storage: An on-site community storage lot for boats and recreational vehicles is available to residents, subject to availability, for an extremely competitive additional cost.
• Development history: Originally developed on about 250 acres by VTWS Associates from late 1994 and 1995. Over 50 of those acres are lagoons, wooded areas and protected green space.
• Neighborhood scale: Just 237 home sites, designed around green space and lagoons.

Amenities, lagoons and outdoor recreation

• Freshwater lagoons and fishing: The community is built around 12 freshwater lakes and lagoons. The stocked lagoons hold bass, shellcracker and brim, with catch-and-release fishing for residents and their guests.
• Natural Lowcountry setting: Mature oak and pine trees, quiet walking routes and viewing spots for local Lowcountry wading birds.

Lagoon use regulations

• No swimming: Swimming is strictly prohibited in all community lagoons.
• No dumping: Discarding trash, yard debris or materials into lagoons is strictly forbidden.
• Watercraft limits: No motorized vehicles, motorized boats or vessels requiring trailer launching are permitted on community water bodies. Only small paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats or electric-powered boats are allowed.

Who Heritage Lakes suits

• Buyers who want a larger lot with water or wetland views.
• Anyone who enjoys a short golf cart ride to Old Town Bluffton.
• Buyers who like a small, established neighborhood with clear rules.

Who it does not suit

• High-Yield Short-Term Rental (STR) Investors
• Luxury Resort & Full-Service Amenity Seekers
• Buyers Wanting Security Gates, Guards & Strict HOA Uniformity
• New-Construction Buyers Looking for Production-built Consistency

Home prices in Heritage Lakes

Based on sales from October 2025 to October 2026.

Single-family homes (6 sold)

• Median sold price: $644,125
• Price range: $535,000 to $967,000
• Median time on market: 67 days

Association, management and fees

• Association: Heritage Lakes Homeowners Association, Inc.
• Property management: IMC Resort Services, Inc.
• Transfer fee: 0.25% of the gross selling price is collected when title transfers, to fund common area and roadway reserve accounts.
• POA fee: $665.00 per year in 2026.

HOA rules and architectural guidelines

Property maintenance, architectural control and community standards are overseen by the Heritage Lakes Homeowners Association, Inc. and its Architectural Review Board (ARB).

Fences and outbuildings

• Fence regulations: Fences are restricted to the rear yard and must not extend closer than 10 feet from the front line of the house. Front-yard fencing is generally discouraged.
• Fence design standards: Solid privacy fencing is strictly prohibited. Allowed materials include wood, composite, aluminum, iron, stone, brick, and dark green or black chain link. Maximum fence height in the rear yard is 4 feet.
• Sheds and outbuildings: Detached sheds are possible, subject to ARB approval. They must be in the rear yard at least 30 feet from the rear property line and built to match the main home. Temporary structures (tents, shacks, trailers, mobile homes) are prohibited.
• Docks: Permitted only on lots whose property boundaries extend directly into the lake or lagoon. No docks on common area dry land or designated wetlands. Maximum size is 15 by 18 feet, with a maximum 10-foot extension into the water and a 20-foot minimum setback from side property lines. Shingle or metal roofing is allowed, subject to ARB approval.

Exterior guidelines and architectural standards

• Square footage: Minimum 1,250 sq. ft. of enclosed living area (or 1,000 sq. ft. on the ground floor for two-story homes), excluding porches and garages.
• Color and material approvals: Prior written ARB approval is required before painting, staining, re-roofing or altering exterior finishes, even when re-applying the existing color scheme.
• Mailbox standards: Community-standard black mailbox, 11.25 x 15 inches, with post caps painted in Valspar Kabuki Clay (#3003-8c).
• Basketball backboards and equipment: Portable backboards in neutral or transparent finishes are permitted without a formal permit if properly maintained. Permanent backboards require ARB location approval. Exposed clotheslines are prohibited.

Parking and storage regulations

• Boat and vehicle storage: Bicycles, trailers and boats must be stored inside an enclosed structure. Watercraft 18 feet or shorter may be stored on-site only if completely screened from street and neighbor view. Vessels over 18 feet are prohibited.
• Overnight parking: Vehicles must be parked in driveways or garages. Overnight street parking is strictly prohibited, as is parking on lawns or common areas. Recreational vehicles larger than standard pickup trucks or vans may not park overnight without temporary written management authorization.

Conservation, wetlands and tree protection

• 30-foot and 50-foot buffers: A 30-foot maintenance easement is reserved along all lake shorelines, and a 50-foot natural vegetative buffer is preserved along designated wetland areas as shown on recorded plats.
• Tree protection: Removing any tree 6 inches or greater in diameter (at 4 feet above ground level) requires written ARB approval.
• Wetland protection: No trees, underbrush or vegetation of any size may be removed or disturbed from common grounds or designated wetland areas.