Simpsonville, SC Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Greenville County regulates accessory structures including sheds through its Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Code Enforcement Division. According to the official Greenville County Answer Book on Zoning, in single-family residential districts "Detached garages, sheds, swimming pools, and game courts must be located in the rear yard." This rear-yard placement rule is a uniform county-wide requirement for residential zoning districts; specific setback distances from rear and side property lines are set by the zoning district that applies to a given parcel and should be verified with the county.

Building-permit thresholds are controlled by the South Carolina Residential Code, which Greenville County administers locally through its Building Safety Department. SC Residential Code Section R105.2 ("Work exempt from permit") exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m^2). A shed under that threshold therefore does not need a building permit in Greenville County, but the property owner must still comply with zoning rules — including the rear-yard placement requirement and any district-specific setbacks. Sheds larger than 200 sq ft require a full building permit application through the Greenville County Building Safety Department.

Because Greenville County encompasses many zoning districts (R-S Residential Suburban, R-7.5, R-10, R-12, R-15, R-20, R-R1, etc.), the exact rear and side setback distances depend on the parcel's designation. The county directs residents to contact the Code Enforcement Division at 864-467-7425 for parcel-specific requirements, and offers a public GIS portal at gcgis.org to look up zoning designations.