Richland County · South Carolina
Metal buildings in Columbia, SC.
We supply detached garages, storage buildings and more across Columbia. Our work reaches from established neighborhoods to larger lots across the city, and anywhere else you’re building.
Side & rear setback
3 ft
From the house
5 ft
Front yard
Not allowed
Before the house
Not allowed
From the City of Columbia Unified Development Ordinance, Section 17-4.3, as summarized in the city’s accessory structure handout (2025).
What people build in Columbia
Columbia requires accessory buildings to stay subordinate to the house in area, extent and purpose.
Detached garages
Garages and storage buildings sit 3 feet from side and rear lines and 5 feet from the house.
Placement
Accessory buildings can’t sit in the required front yard.
Accessory dwellings
One ADU per lot, up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the house, whichever is less, with the owner living on site.
Ownership
An accessory building must be on the same lot and owned by the same person as the house.
We work in tubular steel, cold-formed steel, steel truss and red iron. See what a steel building costs.
Permitting metal buildings in Columbia
Columbia doesn’t allow an accessory building before the house is built.
Setbacks
- At least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines.
- At least 5 feet from the house, unless open on all sides.
Size
- Subordinate in area, extent and purpose to the house.
Accessory dwellings
- Detached ADUs sit 10 feet from the house and match its architecture.
- No short-term rentals under 30 days and no home business in the ADU.
In Columbia, the setbacks are tight. Three feet from side and rear lines leaves room for a sizable building on a typical lot. We’ll lay it out against the house and the lot lines.
Home businesses are limited to 25% of the house’s floor area. See all of South Carolina.
Start with a conversation
Let’s talk about your Columbia project.
Tell us what you’re planning and where you’re building. We’ll help you work out the next steps.
- Tell us what and whereSend us the size, how you’ll use the building and the address.
- We check the siteWe confirm who permits the address and which code and loads apply.
- You get a clear recommendationWe recommend the frame that fits and price it against the alternatives.
Or call
417-218-8348