Bolthole Index

Georgetown County, South Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Town of Andrews, SC

Town of Andrews, South Carolina directs applicants to apply for building permits before residential or commercial work begins.1 Andrews also has a conditional building-permit exemption for owner-performed work used exclusively by the owner and family; confirm its application with the town before starting.2 Town zoning governs land inside town limits, while South Carolina Department of Environmental Services handles septic approval subject to town sewer restrictions.345

At a glance

Building permits
Apply before work; a conditional owner-performed-work exemption exists.12
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside Andrews town limits.3
Septic
State approval required; no new septic tanks where sewer lines are provided.54
Owner-builder
Owner and family use only; required inspections still apply.67
Water and sewer
Connection required within 250 feet of the relevant line, subject to stated exceptions.8
Wells
Town council must approve drilling any well inside town limits.9

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Andrews Zoning, Building, and Safety Compliance

Town building-permit questions, zoning map access and building safety inspections.

(843) 264-8666

[email protected]

Septic permits

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

State septic applications, site evaluations and installation inspections; listed contacts are the state main office.

(803) 898-3432

[email protected]

Online permits →

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 Andrews means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

The Town of Andrews building office says building permits must be applied for before work on a residential or commercial structure.1 The Town Code also allows homeowners to construct or maintain buildings and install wiring, gas piping, appliances or plumbing without a building permit when the owner does the work and the property is used exclusively by the owner and family.2 Required inspections still apply to exempt owner-performed work in Andrews.7

Ask the town building office to resolve the exemption for your proposed work before construction.1 South Carolina's owner-builder licensing exemption separately requires compliance with applicable building codes and zoning; it does not authorize hiring an unlicensed residential builder.10

Who handles building permits and zoning in Town of Andrews?

Start with Town of Andrews Zoning, Building, and Safety Compliance for building-permit questions: call (843) 264-8666 or email [email protected].1 The town's page provides access to its zoning map and describes building safety inspections for new construction, renovations, additions and mobile-home setups.1 Ask the town office which application, inspections and building-permit fees apply to your project.1

For land outside Andrews town limits, consult the Georgetown County guide: Georgetown County issues building permits for projects in its unincorporated areas.11 Septic approval remains a separate state responsibility, and Andrews' own sewer restrictions also apply inside town limits.45

Does Town of Andrews have zoning, including RV and tiny-home rules?

Town of Andrews has zoning inside town limits; its ordinance identifies residential and industrial zones.3 Ask the town zoning office to identify the parcel's district and confirm the proposed dwelling use, lot size, setbacks, height and lot coverage before choosing a home design.1 We could not confirm Andrews' district dimensional schedules or private-land RV, tiny-home and accessory-dwelling occupancy rules; request a parcel-specific answer from the town zoning office.1

Andrews prohibits camping on public property, including streets, without the mayor's permission.12 That public-property rule does not establish permission to live in an RV on private land; ask the town office specifically about residential occupancy and temporary use during construction.121

How do septic permits work inside Town of Andrews?

Andrews allows septic tanks only with state approval where sewer lines are not accessible, and prohibits approval of new or additional septic tanks where sewer lines are provided.5 South Carolina Department of Environmental Services administers septic permitting, so settle sewer availability with the town before pursuing a septic system.45

The SCDES septic application fee is $150; submit the onsite wastewater application through ePermitting with a copy of the property's plat or deed.13 SCDES's traditional permitting method requires a site visit, and the installer must arrange an inspection before the system is covered.13 These state approvals do not override Andrews' restriction against new septic tanks where sewer lines are provided.5

Can you use a private well or avoid utility connections in Town of Andrews?

Every residence or other building in Andrews within 250 feet of a water main or sewer collector line must connect to and use the relevant service, subject to the ordinance's exceptions.8 Pre-existing septic tanks meeting state requirements are exempt until problems develop and the proper authority determines connection is necessary for public health.8 Town council may also grant exceptions for irrigation, backup supplies, service the town cannot economically provide and other situations in the town's best interests.8

Town council must approve drilling any well inside Andrews town limits at a duly called council meeting.9 Ask the town about both well approval and any utility-connection exception before treating a parcel as suitable for an independent water supply.98

Building a home in Town of Andrews: what should you do first?

Start by asking the Andrews zoning office to identify the parcel's zoning district and review your intended use against the town zoning map.31 Next, establish water and sewer availability: Andrews' connection requirements and restrictions on new septic tanks can determine the utility plan.85 If septic is allowed, obtain SCDES approval and a permit to install the system before proceeding with a home on land without public or community sewer.14

Then ask the town building office to confirm the building-permit application, any owner-performed-work exemption and required inspections.127 If you propose a well, arrange town-council approval before drilling.9 We could not confirm Andrews' certificate-of-occupancy requirements; ask the town building office what must be completed before move-in.1

Watch-outs

  • Andrews' owner-performed-work building-permit exemption does not waive required inspections; confirm the exemption with the town building office before work.721
  • A state septic approval does not allow a new septic tank where Andrews provides sewer lines.5
  • We could not confirm private-land RV or tiny-home occupancy in Andrews; ask the town zoning office before buying for either use.1

Sources

  1. Town of Andrews Zoning, Building, and Safety Compliance (townofandrews.sc.gov)
  2. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 8-5. Exemption from building permit requirement (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  3. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 4-142. Location restrictions (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 40-47. Septic tanks; when permitted (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 8-5. Exemption from building permit requirement (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 8-5. Exemption from building permit requirement (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 40-12. Water and sewer connections required for human habitation (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  9. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 40-12. Water and sewer connections required for human habitation (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  10. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 34-2. Camping on public property prohibited (Town of Andrews), quoted and re-checked
  13. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (des.sc.gov)
  14. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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 Andrews

Town of Andrews’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Owner-performed construction, installations, and maintenance on a homeowner's own property inside Andrews town limits.

    • The exemption applies only when work is done by the owner and the property is used exclusively by the owner and the owner's family.
    • Ordinary minor repairs and general maintenance may be completed without a building permit if they do not violate the Town Code, county ordinances, or state statutes.
    • The exemption does not waive applicable inspections.
    “Nothing in this chapter shall prevent homeowners within the town from constructing or maintaining buildings, or installing electrical wiring, gas piping or appliances or plumbing within said homeowner's own property boundaries, without a building permit, provided that such work is done by the owner and the property is used exclusively by the owner and the owner's family.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Homeowners constructing or maintaining buildings or installing wiring, gas piping, appliances, or plumbing on their own property inside Andrews town limits.

    • Work must be done by the owner.
    • The property must be used exclusively by the owner and the owner's family.
    • The privilege does not permit violation of other chapter requirements and does not waive applicable inspections.
    “Nothing in this chapter shall prevent homeowners within the town from constructing or maintaining buildings, or installing electrical wiring, gas piping or appliances or plumbing within said homeowner's own property boundaries, without a building permit, provided that such work is done by the owner and the property is used exclusively by the owner and the owner's family.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building and construction-code conflicts involving food-service facilities discharging to the town sewer system inside Andrews town limits.

    • The ICC International Plumbing Code controls where it conflicts with the cited grease-management article.
    “Where there is a conflict between this article and the building and construction codes adopted by the town, the ICC International Plumbing Code shall be controlling.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Owner-performed work inside Andrews town limits that qualifies for the Town Code's building-permit exemption.

    • The owner-builder privilege does not exempt the property owner from applicable required inspections of work in progress or completed work.
    “In addition, the privilege granted by this section does not exempt the property owner from any applicable required inspections of work in progress or completed work.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Andrews town limits.

    • The cited town ordinance identifies residential and industrial zones.
    “Residential zones include the R-6, R-1, R-8, R-10 and any other residential zone hereafter adopted by the town. Industrial zones include LI (limited industrial) and HI (heavy industrial) and any other industrial zone hereafter adopted by the town.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts inside Andrews town limits.

    • The cited ordinance identifies residential zones R-6, R-1, R-8, and R-10 and industrial zones LI and HI, but it is not a complete zoning-district schedule.
    “Residential zones include the R-6, R-1, R-8, R-10 and any other residential zone hereafter adopted by the town. Industrial zones include LI (limited industrial) and HI (heavy industrial) and any other industrial zone hereafter adopted by the town.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping on public property, including streets, inside Andrews town limits.

    • Camping is allowed only with permission from the mayor.
    “It is unlawful to camp on any public property, including streets, without permission from the mayor.”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Use of septic tanks inside Andrews town limits.

    • State department of public health approval is required.
    • Septic tanks may be used only where sewer lines are not assessable.
    • No new or additional septic tanks may be approved where sewer lines are provided.
    “Septic tanks may be used where approved by state department of public health, where sewer lines are not assessable; provided, however, that no new or additional septic tanks be approved where sewer lines are provided.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    New or additional septic tanks inside Andrews town limits.

    • Use requires state department of public health approval.
    • Septic use is limited to locations where sewer lines are not assessable.
    • No new or additional septic tanks may be approved where sewer lines are provided.
    “Septic tanks may be used where approved by state department of public health, where sewer lines are not assessable; provided, however, that no new or additional septic tanks be approved where sewer lines are provided.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Wastewater disposal by septic tank inside Andrews town limits.

    • A septic tank requires state department of public health approval.
    • A septic tank may be used only where sewer lines are not assessable.
    • No new or additional septic tanks may be approved where sewer lines are provided.
    “Septic tanks may be used where approved by state department of public health, where sewer lines are not assessable; provided, however, that no new or additional septic tanks be approved where sewer lines are provided.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling any well within Andrews town limits.

    • Town council approval is required at a duly called council meeting as required by applicable provisions.
    “Regardless of any other provisions, the town council must approve the drilling of any well within the town limits at a meeting of the council duly called as required by applicable provisions.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Residences and other buildings for human habitation inside Andrews town limits.

    • The water-main or sewer-collector-line distance threshold is 250 feet.
    • Pre-existing septic tanks meeting state department of environmental services requirements are exempt until problems develop and connection is deemed necessary by proper authority for public health.
    • Town council may provide exceptions for irrigation, backup supplies, situations in which the Town cannot economically provide service, and other situations in its best interests.

    water main distance: <= 250 feet (Connection is required when a residence or other building is located within this distance.) · sewer collector line distance: <= 250 feet (Connection is required when a residence or other building is located within this distance.)

    “Every residence or other building which is located within 250 feet of any water main or within 250 feet of any sewer collector line shall be connected thereto and shall utilize the same for water and for the disposal of all sewage and similar waste originating on said premises.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Drilling a well inside Andrews town limits.

    • Town council approval must occur at a duly called council meeting as required by applicable provisions.
    “Regardless of any other provisions, the town council must approve the drilling of any well within the town limits at a meeting of the council duly called as required by applicable provisions.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Andrews town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Andrews town limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential zoning districts inside Andrews town limits.
  • Setbacks — Residential zoning districts inside Andrews town limits.
  • Lot coverage — Residential zoning districts inside Andrews town limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Andrews publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Georgetown County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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