Garage conversion rules in Richland County, SC — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Richland County has no separate garage-conversion ordinance. A detached garage is an accessory structure under LDC Sec. 26-185 and must meet its setback, height, and size limits. Converting garage space to living quarters for a separate household is treated as an accessory dwelling and must meet the Sec. 26-151 ADU
The Land Development Code does not single out garage conversions. A detached garage is a customary accessory structure governed by Sec. 26-185(b): no placement in front of the principal building line, at least 10 feet from rear property lines, and, in residential districts, no larger than 1,200 square feet or 50% of the home. If a conversion creates a second, independent dwelling unit, it becomes an accessory dwelling and must satisfy Sec. 26-151 (one per lot, 500 sq ft or one-fourth of the home's heated area). Any conversion still needs building permits and inspections. Inside a city, that city's code controls.
An illegal second dwelling or an accessory structure exceeding LDC limits is a zoning violation; enforcement includes citations and orders to restore compliance under Article XII.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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