Oconee County, SC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

4 layers a general height review on top of the maximum structure height already printed in each zoning district's dimensional table, which caps most residential and nonresidential development, including the Control Free, Traditional Rural, Rural Residential and Conservation Districts, at 65 feet. 19 reach that review only once they pass 199 feet. To grant the special exception, the board must issue findings on five criteria: projected traffic impact and whether existing roads can handle it, the anticipated cost of specialized emergency response equipment the structure would require, potential noise, light, fumes, shadow or airflow effects on neighbors, the effect on scenic views, historic sites and other sensitive areas, and whether the structure fits the character of the surrounding community.

Height itself is measured from the average finished grade to the highest point, using the elevation methods set in adopted building codes. A long list of building features, including belfries, chimneys, church spires, cupolas, domes, flagpoles, silos and smoke stacks, is exempt from the height limit entirely, provided they are built no taller than necessary and never used for human habitation. 4(b)(2) separately exempts communication towers, antennas and water tanks from the district height cap, sending them instead to the standards in the Unified Performance Standards chapter, while every other dimensional standard for the district still applies.