Bolthole Index

Greenville County, South Carolina

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Simpsonville, South Carolina

Simpsonville, South Carolina administers its own zoning through the city Planning & Economic Development Department1. Building permits are required for construction in Greenville County2, and we could not confirm whether the city or the county Permit Center issues residential ones inside city limits. Septic permits come from the state, not the city3.

At a glance

Zoning
City zoning, run by Simpsonville Planning & Economic Development1
Building permit
Required in Greenville County; which office issues residential permits inside the city is unconfirmed2
Septic permit
State permit (SCDES) for homes not on public sewer4
Sewer connection
Required within 60 days after a city sewer line becomes available5
Short-term rentals
City STR permit and business license for stays under 30 days6
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask city Planning1

Who to call

Zoning

City of Simpsonville Planning & Economic Development

Zoning, subdivision management and development applications inside Simpsonville city limits

(864) 967-9526

425 E. Curtis St., Simpsonville, SC 29681

Building permits

Greenville County Building Safety & Permitting

County Permit Center for residential and commercial building permit applications; ask whether it handles Simpsonville addresses

864.467.7060

301 University Ridge, Greenville County Square, Suite S-3100, Greenville, SC 29601

Online permits →

Septic permits

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)

Septic site evaluations, Permits to Construct and final inspections for homes not on public sewer

(803) 898-3432

[email protected]

2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Simpsonville, SC have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. The City of Simpsonville administers zoning through its Planning & Economic Development Department, which also handles subdivision management17. Parcels inside city limits follow city zoning, not Greenville County's zoning ordinance.

We could not confirm the city's rules on RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, minimum lot size or setbacks, because the district schedule was not available to us in official material. Ask Simpsonville Planning at (864) 967-9526 which district a parcel sits in and what that district allows before you assume anything89. The city's planning page links zoning maps and a project portal where you can apply for zoning10.

If you plan to rent a place short-term, the city defines an unhosted rental of less than 30 days as a short-term rental and requires an STR permit through its portal plus a city business license6.

Do you need a building permit in Simpsonville, and who issues it?

Greenville County requires building permits for new buildings, structural changes and additions, with separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for listed work2. South Carolina law has building permits issued by the applicable county or municipal building authority11.

We could not confirm whether the City of Simpsonville or the county Permit Center issues residential building permits inside city limits, or which building-code edition the city enforces. Call Simpsonville Planning at (864) 967-9526 first, then the county Permit Center at 864.467.7060 if the city sends you there129.

One city rule is confirmed: commercial projects need a sewer flow acceptance letter from Public Works before the building permit is issued13. If a county or SCDOT encroachment permit applies to your driveway or access, the city may ask for proof of it before issuing its own permit14.

How do septic permits work inside Simpsonville?

Septic permits in South Carolina come from the state, not from the city: the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) handles onsite wastewater permitting and inspection4. A home on property without public or community sewer needs SCDES approval and a permit to install a septic system before the county can issue a building permit15.

The SCDES application fee is $150, and the application needs the Onsite Wastewater System Application (D-1740) and a copy of the plat or deed16.

Inside Simpsonville, the first question is whether city sewer is available. The city requires improvements to connect within 60 days after a sanitary sewer line is installed and available for service, with an exception for improvements already served by a compliant septic tank5. A single dwelling unit on city sewer pays a $700 capacity fee in addition to previously established tap fees17. We could not confirm a city rule on new septic systems inside city limits, so ask city Planning whether a septic lot is allowed at your address.

Building a home in Simpsonville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Simpsonville city limits, then ask city Planning at (864) 967-9526 for its zoning district and what the district allows19.
  2. Ask the city whether public sewer reaches the lot. If it does, plan for the $700 capacity fee17. If not, apply to SCDES for a septic permit15.
  3. Confirm who issues your building permit, the city or the Greenville County Permit Center, which takes applications through eTrakit12.
  4. Check for a driveway or encroachment permit from the county or SCDOT, which the city may ask to see14.
  5. Apply for zoning or submit plans through the Simpsonville Project Portal where the city requires it10.
  6. Ask the city when a Certificate of Occupancy applies to your project; the city lists an application form, but we could not confirm when one is required1.

What stays with Greenville County, and what to check before you buy in Simpsonville?

Greenville County's zoning ordinance covers unincorporated land, so rules such as its accessory-dwelling and lot-size limits do not automatically apply inside Simpsonville; see the Greenville County page for land outside the city18. Septic permits stay with SCDES, and wells in Greenville County need a Notice of Intent under a state general permit before construction19.

Before you buy, confirm the parcel's zoning district and sewer availability with the city, and the flood status with the county Floodplain Administration. Greenville County's effective property tax rate is 0.5%, with a median bill of $1,445 a year2021. Typical home value in the county is $341,89122.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether the city or the county issues residential building permits inside Simpsonville; call city Planning at (864) 967-9526 before you pay anyone19.
  • We could not confirm the city's rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, lot size or setbacks; get the parcel's zoning district in writing from city Planning8.
  • Unhosted rentals of less than 30 days in residential districts need a city STR permit and a city business license6.
  • Zoning rules from the Greenville County ordinance apply only to unincorporated land, so check which jurisdiction your parcel is in18.

Sources

  1. Planning & Economic Development | Departments | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Greenville County Answer Book: Permits (2026 county census)
  3. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. SCDES Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder, quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 36 - Utilities | Code of Ordinances | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Short-term Rental - Simpsonville (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning & Economic Development | Departments | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Planning & Economic Development | Departments | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Simpsonville Planning & Economic Development (simpsonville.com)
  10. Planning & Economic Development | Departments | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  11. South Carolina Code Title 6, Chapter 9 — Building Codes (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Greenville County Building Safety & Permitting (greenvillecounty.org)
  13. City of Simpsonville Building Permits Acknowledgement (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Simpsonville Building Permits Acknowledgement (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  15. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) (des.sc.gov)
  16. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder, quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 36 - Utilities | Code of Ordinances | Simpsonville, SC (Simpsonville), quoted and re-checked
  18. Greenville County Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  19. Private Drinking Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Simpsonville

Simpsonville’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Commercial projects inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • A sewer flow acceptance letter from Public Works is required before issuance of the building permit.
    “required prior to the issuance of a building permit for commercial projects.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • City planning department administers zoning as part of planning and development.
    “planning, zoning, and subdivision management”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • City planning page provides a zoning-map resource; the full current district schedule was not accessible in opened official material.
    “Access key maps to better understand Simpsonville’s layout and planning. Whether you’re looking for street details, zoning areas, or ward boundaries, our downloadable maps provide valuable information.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Improvements on premises inside Simpsonville city limits served by a newly installed sanitary sewer line.

    • Connection is required within 60 days after installation of a sanitary sewer line available for service.
    • The requirement is only for disposal of sewage from the improvements.
    • Exception: before installation of the City sewer line, improvements were connected with a septic tank meeting State Board of Health requirements.

    connection deadline: <= 60 days (After installation of an available City sanitary sewer line.)

    “Within 60 days after the installation of a sanitary sewer line available for service”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • Subdivision management is performed by the City Planning & Economic Development Department.
    “planning, zoning, and subdivision management”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Projects inside Simpsonville city limits where an encroachment permit is required by Greenville County or SCDOT.

    • Proof of the external encroachment permit may be required before issuance of a City permit.
    “proof of the permit may be required before the issuance of a City permit.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Unhosted overnight rentals of less than 30 days in residential zoning districts inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • City Council adopted Ordinance O-2025-08 and TX-2025-02.
    • Operator must apply through the City permit portal for an STR permit and for a City business license.
    • Current operators applying before January 12, 2026 have no application fee.

    maximum stay: < 30 days (City definition of short-term rental.) · application fee for current operators before January 12, 2026: 0 USD (Only current operators applying before that date.)

    “Short-term rentals or STRs are defined by the city as an un-hosted property for an overnight stay of less than 30 days at a time.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Applicants for City sewer service inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • The listed City capacity fees are payable at application in addition to previously established tap fees.

    single dwelling unit residential City sewer capacity fee: 700 USD (In addition to tap fees previously established.)

    “Single dwelling unit residential building shall pay a $700.00 capacity fee.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Planning, zoning, and development applications inside Simpsonville city limits.

    • The City directs users to its project portal to submit plans and zoning applications.
    “Access the Simpsonville Project Portal to submit plans for review, apply for zoning, or search for development projects.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Simpsonville or Greenville County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Simpsonville city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Simpsonville city limits.
  • Inspections — Construction inside Simpsonville city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Simpsonville city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Simpsonville city limits.
16 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain

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

← All of Greenville County: county rules, score and offices