Accessory Structures in York County, SC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
York County allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot in the AGC, AGC-I, RUD, RUD-I, RSF-40, RSF-30, RMX-20, RMX-10, RMX-6 and MU districts under § 155.630, sized between 400 square feet and 50% of the house's floor area, with one parking space per bedroom on top of the house's own required parking.
York County Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.630-155.633
§ 155.630 APPLICABILITY. (B) Accessory dwelling units are allowed as an accessory use to a single-family detached dwelling in the AGC, AGC-I, RUD, RUD-I, RSF-40, RSF-30, RMX-20, RMX-10, RMX-6, and MU zoning districts. § 155.631 ESTABLISHMENT AND USE. (A) Limit on number of accessory dwelling units. Only one accessory dwelling unit may be constructed or established per lot. (B) Configuration. An...
ADU Owner Occupancy
To legally establish or keep an accessory dwelling unit in unincorporated York County, the lot owner must actually live on the property, in either the main house or the ADU, under § 155.631(C); renting both units out to non-owners strips the unit of its legal ADU status.
York County ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances § 155.631(C)
§ 155.631 ESTABLISHMENT AND USE. (C) Owner-occupancy requirement. In order to establish and maintain use as an accessory dwelling unit, the lot owner must maintain their primary residence on the lot in either the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling. (D) Prohibited dwelling types. A manufactured home, recreational vehicle, tiny house on wheels, travel trailer, or camper shall not be use...
Shed & Carport Rules
A storage shed in unincorporated York County is a 'major residential accessory structure' under § 155.622, so it must meet the zoning district's front setback plus a 10-foot side setback (5 feet on lots 8,500 square feet or smaller) and a 5-foot rear setback, can't exceed two stories, and can't get a certificate of occupancy before the house does.
York County Shed Size & Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.621, 155.622, Table 155.622-1
§ 155.621 ESTABLISHMENT. (C) Use must be accessory. Accessory structures and uses may not be constructed or established without an associated principal structure or use. The accessory structure may be constructed at the same time as the principal structure. However, a certificate of occupancy for the accessory structure shall not be issued prior to the certificate of occupancy for the associate...
Garage Conversions
Converting a garage to living space in York County is a change of occupancy needing a building permit under the 2021 SC Residential Code. Adding a bathroom or bedroom on septic triggers SCDHEC approval under Regulation 61-56.
York County Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsS.C. Code Regs. 61-56.104 (Onsite Wastewater Systems)
It shall be unlawful to construct, upgrade, expand, or operate an onsite wastewater system ... unless the Department has issued a permit to construct and approval to operate.
Tiny Homes
A tiny house on wheels can't serve as an accessory dwelling unit anywhere in unincorporated York County under § 155.631(D), but a permanently sited, code-built tiny house can qualify because § 150.04(B) adopts the 2021 International Residential Code's Appendix AQ, the state's tiny-house construction standard, into the county building code.
York County Tiny House Rules
Significant RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances §§ 155.631(D), 150.04(B)
§ 155.631(D) Prohibited dwelling types. A manufactured home, recreational vehicle, tiny house on wheels, travel trailer, or camper shall not be used as an accessory dwelling unit. § 150.04(B) Except as herein amended, the installation, workmanship, construction, maintenance or repair of new residential construction, additions, alterations or repairs shall be administered as provided in Chapter ...
Accessory Structures by City in York County
1 cities in York County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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