Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

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

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

Key Facts

SF residential districts
35 ft maximum
GR / RR
35 ft maximum
Code section
Zoning Ordinance Sec. 205 / Table 2-1
Fences/walls
8 ft (separate, Sec. 412)
Cities
Set own high-rise heights

Summary

The Horry County Zoning Ordinance caps principal building height at 35 feet across the single-family residential districts (SF6 through SF40) and General Residential. Freestanding fences and walls are limited separately to eight feet in these districts.

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

SF6 ... Maximum Height 35'. SF10 ... Maximum Height 35'. SF20 ... Maximum Height 35'. SF40 ... Maximum Height 35'.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).

Full Breakdown

Table 2-1 of the Horry County Zoning Ordinance (Article II, Section 205) sets a maximum height of 35 feet for principal structures in the SF6, SF7, SF10, SF20 and SF40 single-family districts and in General Residential (GR) and Resort Residential (RR). Taller building forms are found in higher-intensity resort, multi-family and commercial districts, and the coastal high-rise corridors are largely within incorporated cities that set their own heights. Height is generally measured to the mean roof level under the adopted building code. Fences and walls are governed separately under Section 412, which limits them to eight feet in residential districts (twelve feet in listed agricultural, commercial and industrial districts). Accessory structures have their own, generally lower, height limits.

Violations & Fines

A structure exceeding the district height limit is a zoning violation; permits can be denied or revoked and a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required to keep it. Enforcement can order the excess removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can I build in a Horry County residential zone?
Principal buildings in the single-family (SF) districts and General Residential are capped at 35 feet under Table 2-1 of the Zoning Ordinance. Higher-intensity districts allow more.
Does the 35-foot limit include my fence?
No. Fences and walls are limited separately under Section 412 to eight feet in residential districts (twelve feet in the listed agricultural, commercial and industrial districts).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Horry County

All Horry County rules

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

Get notified when Structure Height Limits in Horry County, SC changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.