Cherokee County, SC Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 13-87(b) of the Cherokee County Code sets the placement rule for accessory structures such as a shed on a lot in unincorporated Cherokee County, South Carolina.

An accessory structure keeps the same front and side setbacks as the primary structure. Under § 13-87(a) that means at least 35 feet from the front property line on a lot abutting a local road, 45 feet on a collector and 55 feet on an arterial or primary road, with 10 feet from each side property line and at least 10 feet from the side road on a corner lot. The rear is the exception. The minimum rear setback is eight (8) feet, against 25 feet for a house. The opening words, unless otherwise stated in article V, matter because specific uses carry their own accessory numbers. Multifamily projects (§ 13-122(b)(2)) and manufactured home parks (§ 13-123(c)(3)) also use an eight foot rear setback, commercial and office uses use ten (10) feet (§ 13-124(b)(2)), and on a townhome or patio home lot accessory structures are barred from the front and side yards and allowed in rear yards with an eight foot minimum setback (§ 13-126).

Section 13-87 prints no size cap or height limit for a shed, so the deciding rules are placement and permitting. Section 6-2 requires anyone who wants to construct a building or structure to apply to the building official for a building permit, except that the permit requirement does not apply when the total value of the work is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Section 6-3 requires the permit card to be posted in front of the premises, visible in plain sight from the adjacent public right-of-way, until the work is completed and approved. The technical codes adopted in § 6-1 include the 2021 South Carolina Residential Code.

Appeals of § 13-87 decisions go to the Cherokee County Board of Appeals within thirty (30) days of notice under § 13-163.