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Spartanburg County, SC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Front (minor street)
20 feet from ROW
Rear setback
20 feet
Side setback
5 or 10 feet
Measured from
Right-of-way where dedicated
Citation
ULMO Table 3a

Summary

In unincorporated Spartanburg County, a single-family home on a minor street must sit at least 20 feet from the front right-of-way, 20 feet from the rear line, and 5 or 10 feet from each side line. Setbacks are measured from the right-of-way where dedicated (ULMO Table 3a).

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

Minimum lot areas, lot width, building setbacks and maximum height requirements are established on Table 3... (L) Setbacks shall be measured from the right-of-way line where dedicated. Setbacks may be modified by Section 2.02-2 Bufferyards. (M) Where there is no right-of-way, measure from the centerline of the road.

Full Breakdown

ULMO Table 3a sets residential dimensional standards. For a single-family dwelling the front setback depends on road class: 20 feet on a minor street, 30 feet on a collector, and 50 feet on an arterial (measured from the dedicated right-of-way; larger figures apply where measured from the road centerline). Rear setback is 20 feet and side yards are 5 feet, or 10 feet on corner lots facing residential streets. Footnote (L) provides that 'Setbacks shall be measured from the right-of-way line where dedicated.' Some rural areas of the county remain unzoned; the City of Spartanburg imposes its own 15-foot front yard minimum.

Violations & Fines

A structure built inside a required setback is a zoning violation and may require a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals or removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must my house sit from the road?
In unincorporated Spartanburg County a single-family home must be at least 20 feet from a minor-street right-of-way, 30 feet on a collector, or 50 feet on an arterial street.
What are the side and rear setbacks?
The ULMO requires a 20-foot rear setback and 5-foot side yards for single-family homes, increasing to 10 feet on corner lots facing minor or major residential streets.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Spartanburg County

All Spartanburg County rules

Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina building setbacks & zoning overview

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