Bolthole Index

Florence County, South Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Scranton, SC

The Town of Scranton, South Carolina requires building permits for work regulated by its adopted technical codes.1 Scranton also requires a town-clerk permit before a septic connection; South Carolina Department of Environmental Services approval is separately required for homes without public or community sewer.23 We could not confirm zoning requirements inside Scranton; ask the Town Clerk rather than assuming Florence County zoning answers the town-limits question.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for technical-code-regulated work; apply to the building official.1
Zoning
Not confirmed inside town limits; ask the Town Clerk.4
Septic approvals
State installation approval plus town-clerk connection permit and town inspection.325
RV living
Residence in vehicles is prohibited in parks and public places; private-land occupancy remains unconfirmed.6
Mobile homes
Town-clerk placement permit; both home owner and property owner apply.7
Owner-builder
Conditional state licensing exemption; building permits and code compliance still apply.8
Private wells
State General Permit coverage through a Notice of Intent before construction.9

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Scranton Town Clerk

Town-clerk septic-connection and mobile-home placement applications; contact to identify the current building official and confirm town land-use requirements.

(843) 389-2222

1818 US Highway 52 Scranton, SC 29591

Septic permits

SCDES Onsite Wastewater Customer Support

State septic application questions before submission and permit modification requests.

1-855-731-2504

[email protected]

Septic permits

SCDES Florence Regional Office

State septic final inspections and technical questions for Florence County.

(843) 661-4825

145 E. Cheves Street Florence, SC 29506

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Scranton means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Scranton, SC?

Scranton requires an application to the building official and the required building permits before technical-code-regulated construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition or occupancy changes.1 Scranton adopts the current codes adopted by the State Building Code Council, subject to its ordinance’s administrative exclusions.10 Separate permits apply to construction and each responsible plumbing, electrical, mechanical or gas contractor.1 Ordinary minor repairs may proceed without a building permit only with building-official approval; do not treat every repair as exempt.1

Who handles building-permit applications in the Town of Scranton?

Scranton building-permit applications go to the building official on the official’s form, accompanied by the required fee.11 The application describes the proposed work and location and must be signed by the owner or authorized agent; the building official may require drawings, specifications, site drawings and other information.11 Contact the Town Clerk at Town Hall to identify the current building official and obtain the application route; we could not confirm a dedicated building-office contact or online building-permit portal.4 For residential grinder-pump work, Scranton requires sewer connection fees before building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits.12

Does the Town of Scranton have zoning, and can you live in an RV?

We could not confirm a Scranton zoning ordinance, zoning map, minimum lot size or setback schedule; ask the Town Clerk for the requirements applying to the parcel before choosing a house footprint.4 Scranton prohibits camping, sleeping and lodging in parks and public places, and prohibits taking up residence in a camper, van, bus or other motor vehicle there.136 Those public-place restrictions do not establish whether an RV may be occupied on private land in Scranton.6 Ask the Town Clerk specifically about private-land RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings and minimum dwelling size; we could not confirm those answers.4

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in the Town of Scranton?

For a Scranton home or manufactured home without public or community sewer, obtain SCDES approval and a septic installation permit first.3 Scranton separately requires a town-clerk permit before connecting to a sanitary septic tank and direct town inspection and approval of the installation and connections.25 Scranton buildings within 250 feet of a provided sanitary-sewer main must connect within 60 days, while new buildings must connect before occupancy.14 Exceptions address impractical connections and special state permission for septic use, so resolve sewer availability with the town before commissioning a septic design.14 SCDES Customer Support handles application questions before submission; its Florence regional office is the contact for state final-inspection and technical questions.1516

Building a home in the Town of Scranton: what comes first?

Start by asking the Town Clerk to confirm town limits, applicable land-use requirements and the current building official; Scranton zoning and dimensional rules remain unconfirmed.4 Resolve sewer connection requirements, then obtain state septic approval and the town connection permit if septic is appropriate.1432 Submit the proposed work, location, signed building-permit application, fee and any drawings the building official requires before code-regulated work begins.111 For a mobile home, both the home owner and property owner must apply for the town-clerk placement permit before placement, subject to the ordinance’s existing-home exception.7 Ask the Town Clerk about final occupancy clearance; we could not confirm a separate certificate-of-occupancy requirement.4

What should you check before buying land in the Town of Scranton?

A private residential well in Scranton requires a Notice of Intent for state General Permit coverage before construction; the permit does not override other regulations or local ordinances.9 South Carolina’s owner-builder licensing exemption applies conditionally to homes for the owner or family, with personal supervision, permit signing, lawful contractors and a recorded public notice; applicable building codes and zoning still apply.8 Selling or renting within 2 years creates a presumption that the home was built for sale or rent unless otherwise approved.8 Qualifying farm structures have a state code exemption, but residences are excluded, an affidavit is required before construction, and local building-permit authority remains.17 For land outside Scranton’s limits, use the Florence County guide for the county building-permit requirements rather than applying Scranton’s ordinance.18

Watch-outs

  • Scranton’s public-place RV prohibition does not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own private lot.6
  • A state septic permit does not replace Scranton’s town-clerk septic-connection permit or town inspection.325
  • Before relying on septic in Scranton, confirm whether the town’s sewer-connection requirement applies to the building.14

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 5-28—Building permit (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  2. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 15-31—Sewer connections required when provided (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. Town of Scranton Town Clerk (scrantonsc.org)
  5. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 15-31—Sewer connections required when provided (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17-3—Prohibited activities in parks (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 5-141—Permit required; owners to apply; exceptions (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  8. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Private Drinking Water Wells (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 5-25—Adopted (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  11. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 5-28—Building permit (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 15-38—Residential grinder pump systems (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17-3—Prohibited activities in parks (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  14. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 15-31—Sewer connections required when provided (Town of Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  15. SCDES Onsite Wastewater Customer Support (des.sc.gov)
  16. SCDES Florence Regional Office (des.sc.gov)
  17. South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 6-9-65 (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Florence County SC - Inspections (2026 county census)

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Scranton

Town of Scranton’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside Scranton town limits regulated by the technical codes, including construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes, and specified equipment installation.

    • The requirement applies when a permit is required by the adopted codes.
    • Separate permits are required for construction and for each responsible plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or gas contractor.
    • Ordinary minor repairs may be performed with building-official approval without a permit.
    “shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permits for the work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures inside Scranton town limits.

    • The adopted codes are the most current issue adopted by the State Building Code Council and have the enforcement date specified by state law.
    • The ordinance excludes specified provisions concerning building-official qualifications, duties, and administrative procedures.
    “There is hereby adopted [...] the most current issue of adoption by the state building code council”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Residential grinder-pump systems inside Scranton town limits.

    • Inspection is for acceptance of the grinder-pump installation.
    • The cited provision also covers the town's franchise areas, but this claim is limited to corporate limits.
    “shall conduct inspections for acceptance [...] within the corporate limits”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy or residence in a camper, van, bus, or other motor vehicle in a Scranton park or public place.

    • The cited prohibition is limited to parks and public places; it does not establish a townwide private-land rule.
    “take up residence in any camper, van, bus, or other motor vehicle”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping, sleeping, or lodging in a Scranton park or public place.

    • The cited prohibition is limited to parks and public places; it does not establish a rule for private land.
    “No person shall camp, camp out, sleep, lodge [...] in any park or public place.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement of a mobile home for occupancy as a home inside Scranton corporate limits.

    • A town-clerk permit must be obtained before placement.
    • Both the mobile-home owner and property owner must apply.
    • The permit requires placement and maintenance under state board of health regulations.
    • The rule does not apply to homes placed before adoption unless relocated within corporate limits.
    “unlawful to place a mobile home within the corporate limits [...] unless a permit [...] is obtained from the town clerk”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Septic systems and sewage disposal for premises inside Scranton town limits.

    • A town clerk permit is required before connection to a sanitary septic tank.
    • The town directly inspects septic-tank construction and drainage.
    • DHEC may grant special permission for septic-tank use where a residence or building otherwise requires water or sanitary-sewer service.
    “DHEC granting special permission for use of a septic tank.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Connections to a sanitary septic tank inside Scranton town limits.

    • The permit must be obtained from the town clerk before the connection is made.
    “permit therefor has been obtained from the clerk.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic-tank construction, drainage, and connections inside Scranton town limits.

    • The installation and connections are subject to direct town inspection and approval.
    “under the direct inspection and approval of the town.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New and existing buildings inside Scranton town limits served by, or located near, town sanitary sewer and water facilities.

    • A building within 250 feet of a provided sanitary-sewer main must connect within 60 days; a new building must connect before occupancy.
    • Connection is not required when connection is impractical for insufficient fall, lack of proper drainage, or other good and sufficient cause shown to the town; a septic tank is then required.
    • A DHEC special-permission letter may allow a septic tank for residences and buildings requiring water or sanitary-sewer service.

    sanitary sewer main distance: <= 250 feet (Only when a sanitary sewer main is provided.) · connection deadline: <= 60 days (Existing building located within 250 feet of a provided sanitary sewer main.)

    “within 250 feet [...] connected thereto within 60 days”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Grinder-pump sewer connections inside Scranton town limits.

    • Sewer connection fees must be paid before the town issues building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits for the grinder-pump work.
    • The cited section does not state a dollar amount.
    “The sewer connection fees shall be paid [...] prior to obtaining any building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Technical-code building-permit applications inside Scranton town limits.

    • The application must be filed with the required fee on the building official's form.
    • The application must describe proposed work and location and be signed by the owner or authorized agent.
    • The building official may require drawings, specifications, site drawings, and other information.
    “Each application for a permit, with the required fee, shall be filed with the building official”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Scranton town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Scranton town limits.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Scranton town limits.
  • Zoning districts — Land inside Scranton town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Scranton town limits.
11 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Scranton publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Florence County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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