Aiken County, SC Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

" Because the flood hazard carve-out in the introductory clause of subsection (b) overrides every listed exemption, a fence of any height built within a mapped flood hazard area loses the exemption and needs a permit regardless of its six-foot compliance. For any fence over six feet, Sec. 5-76(a)(1) puts the applicant back under the general rule: a property owner or contractor who wants to construct or alter a structure must apply to the building official and obtain a permit, with a copy forwarded to the county tax assessor.

Where a permit is required, Sec. 5-77 requires the application on the building official's standard form, and Sec. 5-79 bars issuance until the fees set by county council ordinance are paid. Sec. 5-80 requires the building official to examine the application against the applicable codes and either issue the permit or return it in writing with stated reasons for refusal, which the applicant may then appeal to the board of appeals under Sec. 5-62 within 30 days of the decision. A fence built under a valid permit is not automatically approved for future work: Sec.

5-81 clarifies a permit is a license to proceed, not authority to violate other code provisions, and the building official retains authority to require correction of errors discovered later.