Accessory Structures in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Beaufort County allows one accessory dwelling unit on single-family lots under three acres and two on lots of three acres or more, capping each unit at 1,000 heated square feet in conventional zones under Community Development Code § 4.2.30, and barring resale or rental separate from the main house.
Beaufort County ADU Size and Density Limits
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.2.30
C.Density. Accessory Dwelling Unit(s) shall be permitted on a single-family residential lot as follows:1.One (1) Accessory/Secondary Dwelling Unit shall be permitted for lots less than three (3) acres.2.Two (2) Accessory/Secondary Dwelling Units shall be permitted for lots greater than or equal to three (3) acres.D.Area of Unit. In no instance shall the individual or combined total heated squar...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Beaufort County cannot be leased for stays under 30 consecutive days unless the property first obtains a Short-Term Rental Property Permit under Community Development Code Section 4.2.30(H), a limit layered onto the county's one-ADU-per-lot density cap.
Beaufort County ADU 30-Day Rental Rule
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.2.30(H)
H.Rental. Accessory dwelling units shall not be leased or rented for tenancies of less than 30 consecutive days, unless approved as a Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) following the requirements and procedures of Division 4.1.360.
Shed & Carport Rules
Beaufort County caps freestanding sheds and other accessory structures at 30 percent of the principal home's floor area and sets tiered rear setbacks: five feet on lots under 10,000 square feet, ten feet up to an acre, and 25 feet on lots an acre or larger, under Community Development Code § 4.2.20.E.
Beaufort County Shed Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.2.20.E
(6)Except for water/marine-oriented facilities, all freestanding residential accessory structures shall be set back from rear property lines as follows:(a)Five feet for lots less than 10,000 square feet.(b)Ten feet for lots between 10,000 square feet and one acre.(c)Twenty-five feet for lots one acre or greater... 2.Size. Except for the T2R district, individual freestanding accessory structures...
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