Shed Installation Permits in Charleston

Local Rule

City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability, Building Inspections Division; South Carolina Residential Code Section 105.2 — sources conflict on the exact local figure

Sources give conflicting figures for Charleston's shed exemption, ranging from 120 to 200 square feet, so this should be confirmed directly with the Building Inspections Division. Charleston follows a dimension-based trigger in addition to any area threshold: a shed exceeding 12 feet in any single dimension requires full code review with construction plans, even if its total area would otherwise qualify as exempt. Any accessory structure visible from the public right-of-way within the city's extensive Old and Historic District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review before a building permit can be issued, regardless of size.

Source · Verified September 2026

Charleston Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Charleston County

Charleston's own rule is shown above (No permit under 200 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Charleston County Zoning & Planning Department

Charleston County's own threshold is stricter than the 200 sq ft used in many neighboring counties: no zoning permit is required for a one-story accessory structure with a footprint of 120 sq ft or less. A zoning permit is required above that size or for more than one accessory structure on a lot.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Charleston with a confirmed shed installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a shed installation project:

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