Bolthole Index

Greenwood County, South Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic in Town of Ware Shoals, SC

Town of Ware Shoals, South Carolina directs building permit applications to the Greenwood County building inspection office.1 Ware Shoals zoning is administered by the Greenwood City/County Planning Department.2 Septic permits come from SCDES when public or community sewer is unavailable, with town review also required in the circumstances covered by the town sewer ordinance.34

At a glance

Building permits
Obtain through Greenwood County building inspection.1
Zoning
Town zoning administered by Greenwood City/County Planning.2
Septic permits
SCDES approval required without public or community sewer; town review also applies.54
Sewer connection
Town connection duty applies to habitation property within 300 feet of public sewer, subject to an impractical-connection exception.6
Owner-builder
Conditional state licensing exemption for a home intended for the owner or family; codes and zoning still apply.7
Floodplain construction
Covered residential construction requires lowest-floor elevation at least 5 feet above base flood elevation; no basements.8

Who to call

Building permits

Greenwood City/County Building Inspection Department

Building permit counter identified by the Ware Shoals town code; plan review and inspections.

864-942-8424

1025 Deadfall Rd E, Greenwood, SC 29649

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Greenwood City/County Planning Department

Administration and enforcement of Ware Shoals zoning through the shared City/County Planning Department.

(864) 942-8636

[email protected]

1025 Deadfall Road, Greenwood, SC 29649

Septic permits

SCDES Onsite Wastewater Program, Greenwood Regional Office

Septic (onsite wastewater) site evaluations, construction permits and final inspections for Greenwood County and five neighboring counties, for every address inside or outside city limits

(864) 227-5915

1736 South Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646

Building permits

Ware Shoals building-permit routing (town code)

Town code directing building permit applications to the Greenwood County building inspection office.

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 Ware Shoals 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 Ware Shoals, SC?

Ware Shoals’ town code says building permits must be obtained from the Greenwood County building inspection office.1 The shared Building Inspection Department provides plan review, building permitting and inspections for new construction, remodeling and additions.9 Electrical installation, alterations and additions inside Ware Shoals also require an electrical permit from the electrical inspector or authorized assistants.10 Ask the building inspection counter which applications and inspections your particular project needs before starting work.9 South Carolina’s mandatory construction codes apply in Ware Shoals; local jurisdictions control administrative procedures.11

Who handles building permits and zoning in Town of Ware Shoals?

For the building permit counter identified by Ware Shoals’ code, contact the Greenwood City/County Building Inspection Department using the contact details below.19 For Ware Shoals zoning, contact the Greenwood City/County Planning Department: the town expressly names that department as its zoning administrator and enforcement body.2 These are shared offices, but the zoning question is about the town’s regulations for your address.2 For property outside town limits, consult the Greenwood County guide. Septic approval is a separate SCDES responsibility, and Ware Shoals retains the septic-plan review described in its sewer ordinance.34

Does Town of Ware Shoals have zoning for RVs and tiny homes?

Ware Shoals has zoning regulations administered and enforced by the Greenwood City/County Planning Department.2 Ask that department to identify the parcel’s town zoning district and provide the adopted use and dimensional standards before committing to a house design.2 We could not confirm Ware Shoals rules for RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings, minimum home size or town district setbacks; take those proposed uses to the planning department for an address-specific answer.12 A draft planning document identifies town zoning categories, but does not establish a complete adopted zoning ordinance or dimensional schedule.13

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Town of Ware Shoals?

Ware Shoals requires habitation property within 300 feet of a public sewer to connect, with an exception where connection is impractical because of insufficient fall, lack of drainage or another sufficient cause.6 For a newly laid town sewer, the connection deadline is 90 days after notice, and tap fees must be paid in advance.6 Where public or community sewer does not serve a proposed home or manufactured home, obtain SCDES approval and a septic installation permit; the application fee is $150 and a Permit to Construct lasts 5 years.5 Ware Shoals also requires town review and approval of septic plans and construction in the circumstances covered by its sewer ordinance.4 The installer must arrange SCDES inspection before covering the system.14

Can you build your own home in Town of Ware Shoals?

South Carolina’s owner-builder licensing exemption can apply to a Ware Shoals residential owner building for the owner’s or family’s sole occupancy, rather than for sale or rent.7 The owner must supervise construction, personally appear and sign the building permit application, use appropriately licensed or registered help, and record the required public notice with the register of deeds.7 Selling or renting within 2 years after completion creates a presumption that the home was built for sale or rent, unless otherwise approved by the commission.7 The exemption still requires compliance with building codes, zoning and other applicable laws.7

What should you check before building in Town of Ware Shoals?

Start with the planning department to establish the Ware Shoals zoning rules for your intended use.2 Next, resolve public-sewer access and the town’s connection requirement; where septic is appropriate, arrange SCDES approval and the required town review.654 Then contact the building inspection office identified in the town code for building permit applications and project inspections.19 Before finalizing a floodplain house design, ask how Ware Shoals’ special-flood-hazard standards apply: covered new residential construction and substantial improvements require the lowest floor at least 5 feet above base flood elevation, with no basements.8 Ware Shoals’ sanitation ordinance requires human-waste disposal through public sewer or a compliant private septic tank.15

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Ware Shoals RV or tiny-home occupancy rules; ask Greenwood City/County Planning before relying on either as housing during construction.12
  • Ware Shoals town review can be required alongside the state septic permit; SCDES approval alone does not resolve the town’s sewer-ordinance requirements.45
  • South Carolina’s adopted 2024 mandatory codes are scheduled for local implementation on January 1, 2027; ask the building inspection office which edition applies to your project.16

Sources

  1. Ware Shoals building-permit routing (town code) (library.municode.com)
  2. Code of Ordinances: Chapter 40 - ZONING (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  4. Duty to connect to public sewer (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  6. Duty to connect to public sewer (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  7. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Flood damage prevention: Specific standards (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  9. Greenwood City/County Building Inspection Department (cityofgreenwoodsc.com)
  10. Permit to do electrical work (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes in Effect for South Carolina (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  12. Greenwood City/County Planning Department (greenwoodcounty-sc.gov)
  13. Code of Ordinances: Chapter 40 - ZONING (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  15. Duty to connect to public sewer (Town of Ware Shoals), quoted and re-checked
  16. 2024 Building Code Modification Index (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 Ware Shoals

Town of Ware Shoals’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning regulations applicable inside Ware Shoals town limits are administered for the town by the Greenwood City/County Planning Department.

    • The code chapter itself is reserved; the code footnote identifies Greenwood City/County Planning Department as the enforcing and administering body.
    “Zoning regulations concerning the Town of Ware Shoals are enforced and administered by Greenwood City/County Planning Department.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Town of Ware Shoals review and approval of septic plans and construction inside town limits, including property inaccessible to the town sewer collection system.

    • Section 38-114(e) states the septic system must meet SCDHEC, county, and town standards.
    • The town must review and approve all plans and construction in the circumstances stated there.
    “The town must review and approve all plans and all construction of the septic system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Disposal of human waste inside Ware Shoals town other than through the public sewer or a compliant private septic tank.

    • The code expressly addresses disposal of human waste through public sewer or private septic tank.
    • Other sanitation technologies were not separately evaluated.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of human waste in any manner other than through the public sewer or a private septic tank in accordance with the provisions of this article.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential, business, or other human-habitation property inside Ware Shoals town located within 300 feet of a public sewer.

    • Connection is required within 90 days after notice when the property is within 300 feet of a new public sewer laid or constructed by the town.
    • Tap fees must be paid in advance.
    • Only licensed plumbers or persons approved by the town may tap the public sewer line.
    • An exception applies where connection is impractical due to insufficient fall, lack of drainage, or other good and sufficient cause; a sanitary septic tank is then required.

    distance to public sewer: <= 300 feet · connection deadline after notice for new sewer: 90 days

    “It shall be the duty of each owner of real estate located within the town which is used for residential or business purposes or for other purposes of human habitation and which is located within 300 feet of a public sewer, to make proper connection to the sewer.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in Ware Shoals special flood-hazard areas where base-flood-elevation data has been provided.

    • Residential structures, including manufactured homes, must have the lowest floor elevated at least five feet above base flood elevation.
    • No basements are permitted for the covered residential construction.
    • Nonresidential construction and manufactured homes have additional elevation, anchoring, certification, and floodproofing requirements.
    • A county zoning board hears variance requests under the flood-damage-prevention chapter.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 5 feet

    “Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than five feet above the base flood elevation. No basements are permitted.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Property-maintenance-code fees inside Ware Shoals town limits.

    • The code states fees are determined by both the Town of Ware Shoals and Greenwood County.
    • No numeric fee schedule was located in the opened source.
    “Section 103.5. Fees will be determined by Town of Ware Shoals and Greenwood County.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Electrical work and public-sewer taps inside Ware Shoals town limits.

    • Electrical work requires a permit from the electrical inspector or authorized assistants.
    • Annual electrical permits expire December 31 of the year issued.
    • Public-sewer taps require payment of tap fees in advance and inspection and approval before service begins.
    • Only licensed plumbers or persons approved by the town may tap the public sewer line.

    annual electrical permit expiration: December 31 (of the year issued)

    “No electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment shall be installed within or on any building, structure or premises, nor shall any alteration or addition be made in such existing wiring, devices, appliances or equipment without first securing a permit therefor from the electrical inspector or his assistants authorized to issue such permits.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Ware Shoals

Town of Ware Shoals does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Mandatory South Carolina building, residential, fire, plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, electrical, and energy codes enforced in Ware Shoals town.

    • Mandatory codes must be enforced by every municipality and county.
    • Administrative policies and procedures remain the responsibility of the local jurisdiction.
    • The state source identifies January 1, 2023 as the implementation date for the listed 2021 mandatory codes.

    implementation date: 2023-01-01

    “The mandatory codes referenced in S.C, Ann. §6-9-50(1976, as amended), modified and adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council (Council), must be enforced by every South Carolina municipality and county.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Ware Shoals town zoning districts as identified in the Greenwood City/County planning materials and administered by the Greenwood City/County Planning Department.

    • The official comprehensive-plan source is expressly labeled a draft.
    • The plan identifies Ware Shoals zoning categories in comparative tables but is not itself the complete adopted zoning ordinance.
    “Greenwood County has had zoning since 1986. The City of Greenwood, the Town of Ninety Six and the Town of Ware Shoals also utilize zoning as a land use tool.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New homes or manufactured homes inside Ware Shoals town on property not served by public or community sewer.

    • SCDES approval and a permit to install are required.
    • Without the permit, the county cannot issue a building permit.
    • Application fee is $150.
    • Application is submitted through the ePermitting Portal with a plat or deed.
    • Permits to Construct are good for five years.

    application fee: 150 USD · permit validity: 5 years (Permits to Construct)

    “If you are planning to build a home or place a manufactured home on property not served by a public or community sewer system, you must first obtain SCDES's approval and a permit to install a septic system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic installations inside Ware Shoals town.

    • The installer must contact SCDES before the system is covered.
    • If an SCDES inspector does not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, a licensed installer may self-inspect and must provide D-4432 documentation.
    • SCDES also performs the site evaluation and issues approval to operate if standards are met.

    inspector arrival window: 30 minutes (If the inspector does not arrive, licensed installer may self-inspect)

    “Before completing the installation of the septic system, the installer must contact SCDES to schedule a time for the inspection of the septic system before it is covered.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — General building permits for construction inside Ware Shoals town limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for construction inside Ware Shoals town limits.
  • Inspections — General building inspections inside Ware Shoals town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Ware Shoals town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Ware Shoals town limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured 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 Ware Shoals publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Greenwood County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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