Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Lake City, South Carolina

Lake City’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Lake City city limits

  • Adopted with S.C. modifications; the 2021 IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC and IFGC, the 2020 NEC and the 2009 Energy Code are listed.
  • Later state amendments are adopted automatically under subsection (c).

  International Residential Code edition: 2021 (with S.C. modifications)

  “international residential code with s.c. modifications edition 2021”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Lake City city limits

  • Zoning is codified in Chapter 38 of the Lake City Code of Ordinances, with R-1 and R-2 residential zones.

  “the following regulations shall apply in the r-1 zone:”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Lake City city limits

  • The R-1 and R-2 sections were opened. Other districts (R-3, CBD, L-I, S-I, PUD) are referenced elsewhere in the code.

  “the r-2 zone provides for moderate density residential neighborhoods protected from incompatible uses of land.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Campers and travel trailers on residential lots inside Lake City city limits

  • Parking or storage is allowed only in a carport or enclosed building, or out of sight of a public thoroughfare.
  • Parking anywhere on residential premises is allowed for up to 24 hours while loading or unloading.
  • The ban covers living, sleeping or housekeeping on a residential lot or in any location not approved for such uses.

  loading/unloading parking: <= 24 hours

  “no such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot, or in any location not approved for such uses.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Guest house in the R-1 zone inside Lake City city limits

  • Allowed only on a lot of at least 15,000 square feet.
  • Rear yard only.
  • At least ten feet from any lot line.
  • One such structure per lot.
  • The code defines a guest house as living quarters for a nonpaying guest or relative that may not be rented as a separate dwelling (Sec. 38-3).

  minimum lot area for guest house: >= 15000 sq ft · guest house setback from lot line: >= 10 ft

  “d. guest house, provided such shall be permitted only on a lot having an area of not less than 15,000 square feet; shall be permitted in a rear yard only; shall be not less t[...]”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision plats inside Lake City city limits

  • Chapter 34 (Subdivisions) imposes a preliminary plat filing fee, per the fee schedule. The chapter itself was not opened.

  preliminary plat filing fee: 15 USD (for a plat with five or fewer lots, $2.00 per lot)

  “chapter 34 -subdivisions 34-33 (3) preliminary plat filing fee $15.00; for plat with five or fewer lots, $2.00 per lot”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  New construction and substantial improvement in areas of special flood hazard (Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A1-30 and VE) inside Lake City city limits

  • The rule applies where base flood elevation data has been provided.
  • No basements are permitted.
  • Flood openings are required if solid foundation perimeter walls are used.

  lowest floor above base flood elevation: >= 1 ft

  “new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. no basements are permitted.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permits inside Lake City city limits

  • The building official may double fees where work starts without a permit.
  • The re-inspection fee is $50.00, charged at the discretion of the building official.
  • A zoning compliance fee of $25.00 and a $100.00 fee to move a building also apply.

  standard residential permit, first $1,000 of valuation: 35 USD · each additional $1,000 of valuation: per 5 USD

  “standard residential permit fee first $1,000 in valuation of project $35.00 each $1,000 (or portion thereof) in valuation thereafter $5.00”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Lake City or Florence County directly.

• Building permit — Construction inside Lake City city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Inside Lake City city limits
• Inspections — Construction inside Lake City city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Inside Lake City city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — R-1 zone

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.