Shed Permits In South Carolina: Rules, Sizes & Costs Explained

Before building or installing a shed on your property in South Carolina, you need to make sure that you are clear with any state building regulations. To see shed permit requirements by county, city, or town in South Carolina, jump to our table that breaks down shed permit requirements in SC.

If you’re looking for a top-quality, strong shed to place on your property, we’ve got plenty of shed styles that can be customized in our 3D Shed Builder.

The Short Answer: Do I need a permit to build a shed in South Carolina?

Yes. In South Carolina, most counties require a building permit for any shed over 200 square feet. Some areas require zoning approval for all sheds, regardless of size. These rules are based on Section 105.2 of the South Carolina Building Code (2021). Always check with your local city or county office for exact requirements.

South Carolina Shed Building Codes: What You Need to Know

In South Carolina, you will need a building permit to build a shed, especially if your shed is larger than 200 square feet or includes utilities.

Read below for a comprehensive list of requirments to build a shed in South Carolina. Keep in mind, the shed permit requirements may be slightly different on a local level. 

General Shed Permit Guidelines in SC

Under the 2021 South Carolina Residential Code (IRC), building permits are typically required unless the shed meets specific exemption criteria.

• Permit Exemptions:
  In counties with cities over 97,000 people, no permit is required unless the shed’s construction cost is over $1,000.

  • Sheds costing under $2,500 require a $2 permit fee

  • Sheds over $2,500 require a $5 permit fee

Since most professionally built sheds start at $2,500 or more, most South Carolina homeowners will need a building permit from their local city or county.

View SC Residential Code – Section 105.2

Do You Need a Shed Permit in Rock Hill, SC?

Yes, you need a permit for the construction or installation of any shed unless it is smaller than 120 sq. ft. Keep in mind that you will still need a zoning permit.

Do You Need a Shed Permit in Greenville, SC?

Yes, you need a shed building permit for any shed that is over 200 sq. ft. If your shed is smaller than 200 sq. ft., the building permit requirements are voided. However, before starting your project, you will still need to submit an application and have it approved by your local municipality.

Based on several of the shed building permit costs that we pulled, the average cost is about $32 for a shed building permit in SC. A shed permit cost largely depends on the area of SC that you live in. Some areas may be as low as about $5.50 or could rise to $50. 

Can a Homeowner Pull a Building Permit in South Carolina?

Yes, a homeowner can pull a building permit in South Carolina. This building permit is typically from the same city where the shed will be built.

Here are some of the shed-building requirements that you will need to provide in order to obtain a shed-building permit.

• Name of the owner of the real estate
• School district
• Street number or road and rural post-office box number
• The estimated cost of construction
• Est. total floor area (sq. ft.)
• Type of construction
• Type of roof
• Number of stories
• Number of rooms
• Use to be made of improvements
• Width of the right-of-way of a street
• Approx. Distance from the limits of the nearest municipality

Make sure that all the above information is available before applying for a shed building permit.

Before building, make sure your shed meets South Carolina’s residential building codes. Most counties and municipalities follow the IRC 2021, which includes specific structural and safety standards for sheds:

• Foundation: Sheds over 200 sq. ft. often require a permanent foundation or a properly anchored base.

• Structural Strength: Your shed must be designed to withstand local wind loads, rainfall, and snow (depending on the region).

• Plumbing & Electricity: Any electrical or plumbing additions require separate permits and must be installed by licensed professionals.

• Access & Height: If your shed will be used as a living space or office, it must include:

  • At least one emergency exit (door or egress window)

  • Minimum ceiling height of 6’8″ in habitable areas
  • Loft spaces must be at least 3 feet high

• Setbacks: Local zoning laws regulate how close you can build to property lines, streets, and existing structures.

While the state provides baseline standards, shed regulations often vary by county or city. Some cities like Charleston require permits for all sheds, while others like Rock Hill only require them if your shed exceeds 120 sq. ft. Be sure to consult your local building department before starting construction.

Can I Build a Shed Without a Permit in South Carolina?

In most cases, you cannot legally build a shed in South Carolina without a building permit or zoning approval. While some counties may allow smaller sheds under 200 square feet without a full permit, local regulations often still require zoning clearance or property setback compliance.

According to the 2021 South Carolina Residential Code, permits are typically required for any new structure, especially if it exceeds size or cost thresholds. Always verify local requirements before building.

Check our shed permit tables for detailed rules by South Carolina city or county to find out if your shed needs a permit where you live.

What Happens If You Build a Shed Without a Permit in South Carolina?

Building a shed in South Carolina without the required permit can lead to legal penalties, including fines of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to 30 days. This applies even to DIY shed projects that don’t follow local building or zoning regulations.

Local authorities have the right to stop construction, issue violations, or require removal of the unpermitted structure. To avoid fines or legal trouble, always check your local permit rules before starting any shed build.

What’s the Largest Shed You Can Build Without a Permit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, the maximum shed size you can build without a full building permit is typically 200 square feet. However, this limit varies by city and county. Even if your shed is under the 200 sq. ft. threshold, zoning permits or setback regulations may still apply.

For example, some municipalities require zoning approval for all accessory structures, regardless of size. Always check with your local building department to confirm the specific rules in your area.

Where Do You Apply for a Shed Building Permit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you should apply for a shed building permit through your local city or county building department, depending on where the shed will be installed. Most municipalities offer online applications, but some may require an in-person visit.

To apply, you’ll typically need:

• A site plan showing the shed location

• Estimated construction costs and shed dimensions

• Property line setbacks and zoning details

Check with your city’s building department or county code enforcement office for the correct forms and fees. You can find direct links in our shed permit tables for South Carolina.

Can You Legally Live in a Shed in South Carolina?

A shed permit is valid for as long as your local codes allow. Below, we’ll list several cities and their validation time-frames to give you a generalized idea of what shed permit validation time-frames look like in SC. Check out the shed requirement tables for more info on your area.

Charleston Shed Permit Requirements

After 2 years, a shed permit is voided in Charleston. It’s also voided after 6 months of inactivity on a shed build. The permit is also voided if the shed build process pauses for over 6 months.

Aiken Shed Permit Requirements

Aiken, SC, also requires that a shed build process begins within 6 months of the permit issuance; otherwise, the permit is voided. The shed permit will also be voided if the shed build is left-on-pause for over 6 months.

Mount Pleasant Shed Permit Requirements

Mount Pleasant, SC, invalidates a shed building permit if work on the shed project has not begun after 180 days of the shed permit issuance.

Greenville Shed Permit Requirements

A shed permit will be voided in Greenville, SC, if the shed building project has not begun 180 days after the permit issuance or if work on the project has paused for over 180 days.

In South Carolina, a shed building permit is typically approved within 1 to 7 business days, depending on your local city or county’s review process. Some municipalities may offer same-day approval for smaller sheds with complete applications, while others may take longer during busy seasons or if additional documentation is required.

To speed up the process:

• Ensure your application is complete

• Include a clear site plan and accurate construction details

• Check if your city offers online permit submissions

Always verify processing times with your local permitting office, as turnaround times can vary.

Where to Find Quality, Durable Sheds in South Carolina

Now that you understand the shed permit requirements in South Carolina, it’s time to choose a structure that’s built to last. At Fisher Barns, we offer high-quality, fully customizable sheds that meet both state building codes and local zoning regulations.

Whether you’re looking for a backyard storage solution, hobby space, or future office setup, our sheds are engineered for durability, style, and code compliance. Here are two of our most popular shed models available throughout South Carolina:

The Workshop shed is a great and affordable option that is simple but elegant. Whether it’s a storage shed, man cave, she shed, or otherwise, the Workshop shed can be customized to best suit your needs. Each Workshop shed is built with an A-frame roof, large double doors, windows, and gable vents.

One our most popular barn styles, the Dutch Barn shed, is an efficient shed option that maximizes storage space with its double-sloped roof design. As with all of our sheds, the Dutch Barn can be customized in our 3D Shed Designer.

We hope this article was a clear guide to help you understand the shed permit requirements in SC (keep reading about garage permits in GA and shed permits in GA or how to turn a shed into an office). At Fisher Barns, we build top-quality sheds and garages that we deliver all over South Carolina and beyond! We created a table that further details out what to know about shed building permits in your region of SC. Check it out!

We hope this guide gave you a clear understanding of shed permit requirements in South Carolina, from when you need a permit to how to apply and what building codes to follow. Whether you’re building a small backyard shed or planning a larger structure, knowing the local regulations is key to avoiding delays or fines.

At Fisher Barns, we specialize in custom-built sheds and garages that are designed to meet South Carolina’s building codes and zoning laws. We also deliver across the state, and beyond!

Be sure to check out our detailed shed permit table, where you can find local rules by city and county in South Carolina.

Still exploring? You may also be interested in:

• Shed Permits in Georgia

• Garage Permits in Georgia

• How to Turn a Shed into a Home Office