Dorchester County · South Carolina
Metal buildings in Summerville, SC.
We supply detached garages, workshops, storage buildings and more across Summerville. Our work reaches from established neighborhoods to acre lots on the town’s edges, and anywhere else you’re building.
Under ½ acre
Half the house footprint
½ to 1 acre
Half the house
Over 1 acre
No size cap
Height
Up to the house
From the Town of Summerville Unified Development Ordinance, Section 3.5.2, last amended July 9, 2026.
What people build in Summerville
Summerville lifts the accessory building size cap on lots over an acre.
Garages & workshops
Garages, workshops, sheds and carports are allowed in all districts with a development permit.
Acre lots
On lots over an acre, there’s no size cap, but the building sits at least 50 feet from every property line.
Smaller lots
Under half an acre, up to half the house’s footprint; half an acre to an acre, up to half its floor area.
Height
No taller than the house; with a one-story house, a two-story building is allowed in the rear yard.
We work in tubular steel, cold-formed steel, steel truss and red iron. See what a steel building costs.
Permitting metal buildings in Summerville
Summerville keeps accessory buildings behind the front of the house.
Placement
- Not in front of the house, except on marsh or waterfront lots or more than 100 feet from the front line.
- Garage doors facing a street sit at least 20 feet back.
Setbacks (GR districts)
- 5 feet from the rear line.
- 10 feet from interior side lines; 10 to 15 feet on corner sides.
Other rules
- Utilities are allowed under building codes.
- Shipping containers aren’t allowed unless used as an approved building material.
In Summerville, an acre changes everything. Over an acre, size isn’t capped as long as the building sits 50 feet from every line. We’ll check your lot size and layout first.
In the historic district, only accessory buildings of 400 sq ft or less that aren’t visible from the street qualify for staff-level approval. See all of South Carolina.
Start with a conversation
Let’s talk about your Summerville 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