Horry County, SC Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning height ceiling
- 8 ft (12 ft listed districts)
- Zoning code section
- Zoning Ordinance Sec. 412
- Permit over 7 ft
- Building permit required
- Structural walls
- IRC permit/engineering apply
- Sight lines
- Must stay clear
Summary
Horry County's Zoning Ordinance treats walls alongside fences, so the eight-foot general height ceiling in Section 412 applies to freestanding walls. Structural retaining walls are additionally governed by the adopted building code, which requires a permit above a set retained height.
In all other zoning districts, fences or walls shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Section 412 of the Horry County Zoning Ordinance is titled 'Fences and Walls,' and its height limits (twelve feet in listed districts, eight feet elsewhere) and setback and vision-clearance rules apply to walls as well as fences. Section 412.B.1 requires a building permit for walls over seven feet. Beyond zoning, a load-bearing retaining wall is a structural element: Horry County has adopted the International Residential Code, under which a retaining wall supporting a surcharge or retaining more than about four feet of soil (measured bottom of footing to top) typically needs a building permit and engineering. Walls must also not obstruct the sight triangle at intersections and driveways. Near the coast, DHEC-OCRM and stormwater/floodplain rules may add requirements.
Violations & Fines
An unpermitted or over-height retaining wall can draw a Code Enforcement or building-official order to obtain permits, provide engineering, or modify the wall. Penalties accrue until compliance; a failing wall may be declared unsafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
How tall can a garden or retaining wall be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Horry County
Compare Horry County to another location·View the South Carolina fence regulations overview
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