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

Loris’s own rules

• InspectionsLimited

  Inspections for zoning compliance inside Loris city

  • Discretionary ('may make or require') under the zoning ordinance; building-code inspection rules not located.

  “the zoning administrator and/or other appropriate city officials may make or require inspections of any land disturbing activity, construction or maintenance requirements”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New or altered buildings inside Loris city

  • Application to zoning administrator or building official after construction under a building permit; final inspection within 3 days of application.

  final inspection after application: <= 3 days

  “no land or building hereafter erected or altered in its use, shall be used until such a certificate of occupancy has been granted.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Loris city limits

  • Zoning Ordinance (January 2024 update) administered by the Planning & Zoning Director; BZA and Planning Commission exist.

  “enforcing building codes enforcing zoning regulations administering ordinances for permits and inspections”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Loris city

  • Official zoning map and zoning district schedule published by the city.

  “zoning district schedule (pdf / 175 kb) zoning ordinance (pdf / 2,939 kb) land development regulations”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Recreational vehicles on residential premises in residential districts inside Loris city

  • No RV or boat over 17 feet in required front or side yard setback or within 5 feet of rear lot line in a residential district.
  • Parking up to 24 hours allowed for loading/unloading.
  • Camps and RV parks are separate conditional uses (Section 3-16), not read.

  temporary lodging in RV: <= 7 days

  “and recreational vehicles may be used for temporary lodging, up to seven (7) days.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory apartments where permitted as conditional uses inside Loris city

  • Principal dwelling must be owner occupied.
  • Only accessory to a single unit dwelling; one apartment per dwelling or lot.
  • Detached apartment at least 10 feet from principal dwelling; must meet all yard setbacks.
  • Third off-street parking space required.
  • Minimum lot size at least 50 percent greater than district minimum.

  max apartment size: <= 50 percent of principal dwelling gross floor area · max bedrooms: <= 2 bedrooms

  “the apartment, whether attached or detached, cannot exceed 50 percent of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, or contain more than two bedrooms.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Loris city

  • Exempt, minor and major subdivision tracks with preliminary and final plat review; design standards for streets, water supply and sanitary sewerage.

  “an ordinance governing the development of land within the city of loris, south carolina, and providing for design standards, required improvements, and the administration, enforcement, and amendment thereof.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building and zoning permit submission inside Loris city

  • Online submission through the city's permit request form.

  minimum turnaround: >= 10 business days (for most permits)

  “please note that the department has a minimum turnaround time of 10 business days for processing most permits; the applicant will be notified when the submission has been processed.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Loris city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Loris city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Loris city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Loris city
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in residential districts inside Loris city

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.