Accessory Structures in Rock Hill, SC (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Rock Hill, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Rock Hill, South Carolina allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot under Zoning Ordinance § 5.3.5.2(A), on top of the main house. ADUs must be permanent construction, not a mobile home, manufactured home, RV or travel trailer, at least 480 square feet, and come with one off-street parking space per bedroom; they cannot be sold apart from the main house.
Rock Hill Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Hill § 5.3.5.2(A)
2. Prohibited forms: Mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and travel trailers must not be used as accessory dwelling units. 3. Limit on number: There must be no more than one accessory dwelling unit on a lot in addition to the principal single-family detached dwelling. 4. Off-street parking: At least one off-street parking space must be provided for each bedroom located in a...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Rock Hill, South Carolina requires the property owner to actually live on site when an accessory dwelling unit is built. Zoning Ordinance § 5.3.5.2(A)(1) ties the owner to the principal house for the first five years the ADU exists; only after that window can the owner move into the accessory unit instead.
Rock Hill ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Hill § 5.3.5.2(A)(1)
1. Owner Must Reside In Principal Structure: The property owner must live on the property. For the first five years that the accessory structure is created, the owner must live in the primary structure; after that, the owner may live in the accessory dwelling unit if preferred.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Rock Hill, South Carolina bars accessory dwelling units from being rented as short-term stays. Zoning Ordinance § 5.3.5.2(A)(7) sets a 30-day minimum tenancy and caps an ADU at 11 different renters per calendar year, unless the property is separately approved as a short-term rental under Code of Ordinances Article 11.
Rock Hill ADU Rental Length Restrictions
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Hill § 5.3.5.2(A)(7)
7. Rental: Accessory dwelling units must not be leased or rented for tenancies of less than 30 days, nor leased to more than 11 different individuals in any calendar year. An exception exists if the property is approved as a short-term rental under Rock Hill Code of Ordinances Article 11, Short Term Rentals.
Shed & Carport Rules
Detached sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Rock Hill must sit behind the front plane of the house: 5 feet from every property line if under one story, 10 feet if taller. Combined accessory floor area is capped at 30% of the house's heated floor area or 600 to 1,000 square feet depending on existing garage space, and height cannot exceed two stories or the main house, whichever is less, under Section 5.3.5.1.
Rock Hill Shed and Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Hill § 5.3.5.1(C), (E), (F)
C. Setbacks: ...1. Accessory uses and structures that are less than one-story tall must be located behind the front plane of the primary structure and at least 5 feet away from all property lines. They also must be located at least five feet from a principal structure or any other structure. 2. Accessory structures taller than one story must be located behind the front plane of the primary stru...
Looking for York County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rock Hill city rules.
Accessory Structures in York County →