Functions

Administer and enforce Zoning Ordinance
To provide for the public health, safety, welfare and convenience of the citizens within the unincorporated areas of Horry County
Assist in the permitting process
Identify the Zoning of property
» zoning districts

Permitting Requirements

A certificate of zoning compliance is required whether or not a building permit is required.
A certificate of zoning compliance must be obtained prior to issuance of a building permit.
No building, mobile home, sign or other structure shall be erected, located, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a certificate of zoning compliance.
It shall be unlawful to use, occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building, mobile home, or premises, or all or parts thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use of structure until a certificate of zoning compliance is issued.

Obtaining a Certificate of Zoning Compliance

Property ownership and tax map number must be verified by the Zoning Department on a building permit application.

Zoning of property must be verified along with verification that proposed use is allowed in zoning district.

For Residential Uses:

A site plan drawn to scale showing actual dimensions and shape of the property to be built upon, the exact sizes and locations of existing buildings, if any, and the location and sizes of proposed buildings, or alterations must be submitted for review and approved for compliance with all zoning regulations prior to issuance of a zoning compliance.

For Commercial Uses:

Commercial plans must be submitted for review prior to issuance of a zoning compliance. Please allow up to 15 working days for the review process.
Submit two (2) site plans drawn to scale showing actual dimension and shape of the property to be built upon, the exact sizes and locations of existing building(s), if any, and the location and sizes of proposed building(s), or alterations including parking and landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my property zoned? Staff can verify the zoning of property by locating the property on the Horry County Zoning Maps. Staff will need the tax map number or the name of the property owner of record in order to verify zoning.
How do I know what my tax map number (TMS) is? The tax map number is generally found on your tax bill as assigned by the Tax Assessors Office and is a ten digit number.
What can I do on my property? Land use is determined by the zoning district you are located in. Land uses are site specific and you should contact the Zoning Department to determine the allowable land use for a specific parcel.
What are my setbacks? Setbacks are determined by the zoning district in which the property is located.
Do I need a permit to erect a fence? Front yard fences of the privacy type installed along property lines in any district must apply for a certificate of zoning compliance and a site plan drawn to scale indicating setbacks, locations and elevations must be provided. The front yard privacy fence must meet ten (10) foot setbacks from the road right-of-way or easement. Any fences over 6' in height must a building permit. Contact Horry County Code Enforcement at 843-915-5090 for building permit requirements.
Where can I place my fence? Front yard fences of the privacy type installed along property lines in any zoning district must meet 10' setbacks from the road right-of-way or easement. There are no setback requirements for all other fence types. Fences are not permitted to encroach into any type of easements.
Who's on the Planning Commission? [ see list ]
Who's on the Board of Adjustment and Zoning Appeals? [ see list ]

Common Terms

Use - The purpose or activity for which a piece of land or its buildings is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained.
Principal Use - The primary purpose for which a lot is occupied and/or used.
Conditional Use - A use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon demonstration that such use in a specific location will comply with all of the conditions and standards for location and/or operation of such use as specified in the zoning ordinance.
Accessory Use - A use customarily incidental, appropriate, and subordinate to the principal use of land and located on the same lot therewith.
Structure - A combination of materials to form a construction for use, occupancy, or ornamentation whether installed on, above, or below the surface of land or water.

Dwelling Unit - A room or suite of two (2) or more rooms that is designed for and not occupied by more than one (1) family doing its own cooking therein and having only one (1) kitchen facility, located within a building.



»	Single Family Dwelling - A building designed, constructed, and used for one (1) dwelling unit.

»	Duplex Dwelling -A building designed, constructed, or reconstructed and used for two (2) dwelling units that are connected by a common wall.

»	Multi-Family Dwelling - A building designed, constructed, or reconstructed and used for more than two (2) dwelling units, with each dwelling unit having a common wall with any other dwelling unit.

Family - An individual, or two (2) or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together as a single household unit, or a group of not more than five (5) persons not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together as a single household unit.
Signs - Any letters, pictorial representation, symbol, emblem, flag, banner, illuminated or animated device, displayed in any manner whatsoever, which directs attention of persons to such device, and which is located within view of the general public from a public way. Customary graphics found on soft drink and newspaper dispensers and similar machines shall not be considered as signs.

Major Projects

Rewrite of Adult Entertainment Regulations.
Preparation of a Landscape Ordinance for the zoned portions of Horry County.

Interesting Facts

The entire county has been zoned as of April 17, 2001.
The Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals meets the second Monday of each month to discuss variance requests, appeals, and special exceptions. The meetings are held at the Government Center, Conference Room B, 1301 - 2nd Avenue in Conway.

2006 Meeting Schedule [adobe pdf format]
The zoning department does not enforce deed restrictions that are placed on properties by the developer or owner.

Downloadable Forms

Variance Application & Forms

Contact Information

Contact Persons:	Roland Meyer, Zoning Administrator Rennie Mincey, Assistant Zoning Administrator
Mailing Address:	Planning & Zoning Department Government & Justice Center 1301 Second Ave, Conway, SC 29526
Physical Location:	Government & Justice Center 1301 Second Ave, Conway, SC
Phone:	(843) 915-5340
Fax:	(843) 915-6340

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday

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