Accessory Structures in Horry County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Horry County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
One accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is allowed per parcel as a conditional use in any district that permits a single-family detached home. The main house must be owner-occupied, and the ADU must meet single-family dwelling standards.
Accessory Dwelling Units in Unincorporated Horry County
Some RestrictionsHorry County Zoning Ord., Appendix B, Art. IV (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Accessory dwelling units within an existing principal dwelling or in a separate structure shall be a conditional use in all zoning districts where a principal single-family detached dwelling unit is permitted. No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit per parcel. The principal dwelling unit is occupied by the owner of the property.
Shed & Carport Rules
One small accessory structure (200 square feet or less) at a single-family home may sit as close as 5 feet from a side or rear property line. Larger or additional sheds must meet the full district setbacks, and none may sit in an easement.
Shed Setbacks in Unincorporated Horry County
Some RestrictionsHorry County Zoning Ord., Appendix B, Art. IV (Accessory buildings, structures and uses)
One (1) accessory structure at a single family residence, two hundred (200) square feet or less in size, may be located no closer than five (5) feet from an adjacent side and/or rear property line and further provided that no accessory structure may be located within any easement.
Garage Conversions
Horry County has no separate garage-conversion ordinance. Converting a garage into a separate dwelling triggers the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules: one unit per parcel, conditional-use approval, and an owner-occupied main home, plus a building permit.
Converting a Garage into Living Space
Some RestrictionsHorry County Zoning Ord., Appendix B, Art. IV (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Accessory dwelling units within an existing principal dwelling or in a separate structure shall be a conditional use in all zoning districts where a principal single-family detached dwelling unit is permitted. No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit per parcel.
Tiny Homes
Horry County's zoning ordinance defines a tiny home as a permanently-foundationed single-family unit up to 750 square feet, distinct from a manufactured home or RV. Multi-Residential District (MRD) tables set a 1,200-square-foot minimum lot per tiny home, exempt tiny home lots from standard road-frontage requirements, and require 1.5 parking spaces per unit.
Tiny Homes in Horry County's Multi-Residential Districts
Some RestrictionsHorry County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1420 (Definitions - Tiny home); Sec. 207, Table 2 footnote
Tiny home. Tiny homes are single family dwelling units that have a maximum size of seven hundred fifty (750) sf. They must be on a permanent foundation and are not attached to a chassis. They cannot be manufactured homes as defined by HUD or a recreational vehicle (park model) as defined by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ... Tiny ho...
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