Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PALMETTO BANCSHARES INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,793,543
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000706874
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3