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Horry County, SC Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

ADU rules in Horry County, SC, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Units per parcel: One ADU maximum
Approval type: Conditional use
Owner occupancy: Principal home owner-occupied
Where allowed: Single-family detached districts
Unit standard: Single-family / manufactured home

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in South Carolina under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Horry County, SC rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

One accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is allowed per parcel as a conditional use in any district that permits a single-family detached home. The main house must be owner-occupied, and the ADU must meet single-family dwelling standards.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Horry County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Accessory dwelling units within an existing principal dwelling or in a separate structure shall be a conditional use in all zoning districts where a principal single-family detached dwelling unit is permitted. No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit per parcel. The principal dwelling unit is occupied by the owner of the property.

Source: Horry County Zoning Ordinance (Appendix B) - Section 925 ADUView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).

Full Breakdown

Under the Horry County Zoning Ordinance, an ADU (attached inside the principal home or in a separate structure) is a conditional use wherever a single-family detached dwelling is permitted. Only one ADU per parcel is allowed, the property owner must occupy the principal dwelling, and the unit must conform to the definition of a single-family dwelling or single manufactured home. An attached ADU may not alter the structure's appearance so as to create a duplex, and the minimum lot area matches the underlying zoning district. Municipalities such as Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach set their own ADU rules for property inside city limits.

Violations & Fines

Building or renting an unpermitted ADU is a zoning violation; the county can require removal, deny occupancy, and pursue civil penalties through code enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent out my Horry County ADU short-term?

The ADU rules require owner occupancy of the main home and single-family conformance; STR use is separately regulated, and Myrtle Beach restricts rentals in residential zones.

Do these rules apply inside Myrtle Beach?

No. The county ordinance governs unincorporated Horry County. Cities like Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach have their own ADU zoning within city limits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Horry County

Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Garage ConversionsSome Restrictions Tiny HomesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy Restrictions

All Horry County rules

How Horry County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina accessory structures overview

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