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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Shed permit rules in Simpsonville, SC, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.

Key Facts

Accessory setback (SFR)
5 feet, side and rear
Front placement
Behind front wall of house
Zoning permit (SFR shed)
Not required (Sec. 7.7.2.B)
Shipping containers/pods
Not allowed as accessory structure
Ownership
Same lot and owner as principal use

Summary

On single-family residential lots, an accessory structure such as a shed must meet a 5-foot accessory-structure setback from side and rear property lines and cannot sit closer to the street than the front wall of the home. A zoning permit is waived for single-family accessory structures, but a building permit

Unless otherwise indicated herein, accessory uses and structures on residential properties shall not be located closer to the street right-of-way than the plane of any front wall of the principal building on the subject property...

Full Breakdown

Section 2.2.5 sets a 5-foot accessory-structure setback on single-family residential property (versus 20 feet on all other property). Section 3.3.1.E requires accessory structures on residential lots to stay behind the plane of the front wall of the principal building. Accessory structures must be on the same lot as, subordinate to, and owned by the same person as the principal use (Section 3.3.1). A shipping container or portable storage pod is expressly excluded from the accessory-structure category. Under Section 7.7.2.B a zoning permit is not required for accessory structures tied to a single-family home, but a building permit under Chapter 8 and the adopted South Carolina building codes is generally still required based on size.

Violations & Fines

A shed placed in the setback or forward of the front wall can be cited as a zoning violation; the City may require relocation or removal and withhold related permits. Penalties follow Code section 1-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close to my property line can a shed go?
On single-family residential property the accessory-structure setback is 5 feet from side and rear lines. It also may not sit closer to the street than the front wall of your house.
Can I use a shipping container as a shed?
No. The Zoning Ordinance excludes shipping containers (modified or not) and portable storage pods from the accessory-structure category.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Simpsonville

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How Simpsonville compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Simpsonville to another location·View the South Carolina accessory structures overview

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