Fence or deck costs in Myrtle Beach

In Myrtle Beach, storm-driven water along the beachfront can rise 15 to 20 feet above mean sea level. Most flooding here comes from ocean water and rain that severe storms, like tropical storms and hurricanes, drive inland. The city's rule is blunt: any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal. Before you build, fill or otherwise develop there, the city wants you to talk to its Construction Services Department first.

What that means for you depends on which side of the city line you're on. Inside Myrtle Beach, the city's own Construction Services office handles permits and floodplain review. If you live outside the city in Horry County, the county's code office lists small jobs that don't need a building permit. A fence up to 7 feet is one of them. A deck can skip one only if it's 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and not serving a required exit door. Even then, the county says a zoning compliance check may still be required. So a small, low, freestanding deck in the county can be a simple job. Attach that same deck to the house, or raise it up for a view of the marsh, and it needs a building permit.