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Kershaw County Council asks staff to study easing rules for residential pole barns
Summary
Council asked staff to bring back recommendations early in 2026 about loosening regulations for picnic shelters and pole barns after members and residents said engineering requirements can make small structures cost‑prohibitive; the building official said liability and code coverage drive current rules.
Council members asked staff to place a regulatory review of picnic shelters, pole barns and similar structures on an early 2026 agenda after several members described the current permitting approach as onerous for homeowners.
Chair introduced the item as an attempt to make regulations less burdensome for residential property owners. Council members repeatedly emphasized personal property rights and said examples such as a 12‑by‑12 shed should not require expensive engineered plans. "It shouldn't take 2 years to do a 12 by 12 picnic shed, you know, for some folks," Councilman Jimmy Jones said.
The county’s building official (Sam) explained why the county often requires engineered plans: "Anything that's not covered within the books has to be prescribed by an engineer," he said, pointing to gaps in the residential code and liability concerns. Staff suggested developing FAQs and a one‑page summary to help applicants navigate requirements and said some avenues—such as a state‑level appendix or agricultural exemptions—could change what is allowed.
Council and staff discussed options including public education, creating minimum acceptable standards for residential, noncommercial structures, and lobbying the state for changes; no vote was taken, but the item was scheduled for early 2026.
