Bolthole Index

Lexington County, South Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Cayce, South Carolina

Cayce, South Carolina requires building permits for construction and specified alterations and building-system work inside city limits.1 Cayce administers its own zoning; SCDES handles septic approval where public or community sewer is unavailable.23 For land outside Cayce, use the Lexington County guide for the county zoning jurisdiction.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for construction and specified alterations and system work; apply to Cayce15
Zoning
City zoning and zoning permits apply inside Cayce2
Septic permits
SCDES approval required without public sewer; septic prohibited where city sewer connection is available36
RV occupancy
Up to 7 days with an approved Temporary Use Permit7
Residential lot size
RS-1 minimum residential lot area: 12,000 square feet8
Owner-builder
Conditional licensing exemption; city affidavit and acknowledgment requirements apply910

Who to call

Building permits

Cayce Building Services

City building and trade permits, building plans and inspection requests

803.521.6859

[email protected]

1800 12th Street, Cayce, SC 29033

Zoning

Cayce Planning & Zoning Office

Zoning permits, site-plan review, zoning verification, rezoning and variances

(803) 550-9504

[email protected]

1800 12th Street, Cayce, SC 29033

Septic permits

SCDES Columbia Local Office

State septic office serving Lexington County

(803) 896-0620

State Park Health Center 8500 Farrow Road Bldg 12 Columbia, SC 29203

Floodplain permits

Cayce Development Services — Floodplain Management

City floodplain management and development standards

803-550-9559 ext. 3059

[email protected]

1800 12th Street, Cayce, SC 29033

Building permits

Cayce Building Services — New Construction Instructions

Published sequence for city plan review, county stormwater approval and building permit issuance

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

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Do you need a building permit in Cayce, SC?

Cayce requires a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a building, with required trade permits for covered electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work.1 Cayce Building Services provides building-plan submission, building-permit application and inspection-request links on its official page.11

Contact Cayce Building Services at 803.521.6859 or [email protected] to identify the approvals for your proposed work.11 Cayce also requires a Certificate of Occupancy before using covered new, converted, altered or enlarged buildings or premises.12

Does Cayce have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Cayce administers its own zoning ordinance and publishes a zoning and overlay district map.213 Cayce Planning & Zoning reviews zoning permits and residential site plans; request zoning verification from that office before committing to a building layout.14

In Cayce’s RS-1 district, the minimum residential lot area is 12,000 square feet; the D-1 Development District lists a 40,000-square-foot minimum, subject to its table notes and district standards.815 Cayce’s zoning schedule also sets district-specific setbacks and lot coverage, so ask Planning & Zoning to confirm the applicable columns and footnotes for your parcel.161714

How do septic permits work inside Cayce?

Cayce prohibits installing a septic tank where a connection can be made to the city sewer system; a city sewer connection requires a connection permit and applicable tap fees.6 Where public or community sewer does not serve a proposed home or manufactured home, SCDES approval and a septic installation permit are required first.3

The SCDES septic application fee is $150, and the Permit to Construct is valid for 5 years; renewal or approved changes require another application and fee.18 The SCDES Columbia Local Office serves Lexington County and can be reached at (803) 896-0620.19 New septic installations require an installation inspection, scheduled before covering the system, with qualified-installer self-inspection available under SCDES procedures.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cayce?

On residentially zoned lots in Cayce, temporary RV occupancy is limited to up to 7 days and requires an approved Temporary Use Permit from Planning and Development.7 Cayce requires stored RVs to be in the rear or side yard, at least 3 feet from property lines, subject to the loading and unloading exception.7

We could not confirm a Cayce rule expressly authorizing tiny-home occupancy or a minimum dwelling size; ask Cayce Planning & Zoning about the proposed dwelling and parcel.14 Cayce conditionally allows accessory apartments where the zoning tables permit them: the principal dwelling must be owner occupied, and the apartment cannot exceed 50 percent of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area or contain more than two bedrooms.21

Building a home in Cayce: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Confirm the parcel’s district and proposed use with Cayce Planning & Zoning, which handles zoning permits and residential site-plan reviews.14
  2. Establish whether city sewer is available; where public sewer is unavailable, obtain SCDES septic approval for the home.63
  3. Submit 2 sets of plans showing layout, setbacks, landscaping, stormwater and utilities to Cayce Planning & Development.22
  4. After city planning approval, take the stamped plans to Lexington County Public Works/Storm Water Division for stormwater approval, then return the approved plans and county Land Disturbance Permit to Cayce.22
  5. Submit building plans to the Cayce Building Official; after approval, obtain the building permit before beginning construction and arrange inspections through Building Services.2211
  6. Obtain the required Certificate of Occupancy before occupying the completed home.12

What should you check before buying or building in Cayce?

Cayce’s published new-construction process retains a Lexington County role for stormwater approval and a Land Disturbance Permit, while the Cayce Building Official approves building plans.22 Cayce has its own floodplain management ordinances governing new and existing development; ask city Development Services about floodplain requirements before settling on a building site.23

Dividing property in Cayce triggers subdivision review, including road access, drainage, utilities and zoning compliance; a division is not simply a new line on a deed.24 South Carolina requires a Notice of Intent for residential wells under the state General Permit, which does not authorize wells prohibited by local ordinances; we could not confirm additional Cayce well restrictions.25

For an owner-built home, Cayce requires owner-builder paperwork, and South Carolina’s exemption requires personal supervision, qualifying family occupancy and the recorded owner-builder notice.910

Watch-outs

  • A Cayce RV storage allowance does not authorize continuous residential occupancy: the temporary occupancy allowance is up to 7 days with an approved Temporary Use Permit.7
  • Cayce’s sewer-availability restriction can rule out septic even before a soil evaluation is considered.6
  • South Carolina’s 2024 building codes are scheduled for local implementation on January 1, 2027; ask Cayce Building Services which edition will govern your application.2611

Sources

  1. Building Services (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning and Zoning (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning Ordinance Information (2026 county census)
  5. Planning and Development FAQ's (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 40-95. Septic tanks—Generally (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  9. Planning and Development FAQ's (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  10. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Cayce Building Services (caycesc.gov)
  12. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance 2012 (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  13. Planning and Zoning (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  14. Cayce Planning & Zoning Office (caycesc.gov)
  15. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  16. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  17. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder, quoted and re-checked
  19. SCDES Columbia Local Office (des.sc.gov)
  20. Site Inspections (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  21. City of Cayce Zoning Ordinance (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  22. Cayce Building Services — New Construction Instructions (caycesc.gov)
  23. Cayce Development Services — Floodplain Management (caycesc.gov)
  24. Land Development Regulations (Cayce), quoted and re-checked
  25. Private Drinking Water Wells (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. 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 Cayce

Cayce’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and specified building-system work inside Cayce.

    • The City states permits are required before construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, occupancy change, or installation, alteration, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
    • The FAQ also states a permit may be required as the Building Official deems necessary.
    “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, in the City of Cayce, shall first obtain the required building or mechanical permits.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner applying for a Cayce building permit and claiming exemption from the South Carolina contractor licensing requirement.

    • Before permit issuance, the applicant must provide proof of South Carolina contractor licensure or file an Owner/Builder Affidavit stating exemption.
    • The City also requires an owner performing work personally to complete an Owner Acknowledgment Form and comply with City zoning ordinances and building regulations.
    “Any person applying to the Building Inspections Division for a permit shall furnish prior to the issuance of the permit, either satisfactory proof to the building official that he is duly licensed as a contractor in the State of South Carolina or file an Owner/Builder Affidavit with the permit application indicating that he is exempt from the licensing requirement.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction, reconstruction, alteration, repairs, materials, and appliances used in building work inside Cayce.

    • The adopted codes apply to the extent their rules are not in conflict with City ordinances.
    • The ordinance adopts the 2021 South Carolina Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, and 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with stated amendments.
    “The City of Cayce currently utilizes the following Codes:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings or premises inside Cayce that are created, erected, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged.

    • The certificate may be combined with or made part of the Certificate of Occupancy required under the Building Code.
    • Failure to obtain it is a violation punishable under Section 3.14.
    “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use of occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or parts thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged until a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this Ordinance.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Cayce city limits; Cayce administers its own zoning ordinance and zoning permits.

    “Zoning Ordinance (opens in a new tab) [...] Zoning and Overlay Districts Map (opens in a new tab)”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and dimensional standards inside Cayce.

    • The City publishes a zoning ordinance and zoning/overlay district map.
    • The zoning ordinance's Table 3 lists RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-4A, RG-1, RG-2, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1, M-2, and D-1.
    “Zoning Ordinance (opens in a new tab) [...] Zoning and Overlay Districts Map (opens in a new tab)”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    RS-1 residential zoning district inside Cayce; the main single-family residential district identified in the zoning schedule.

    • The zoning schedule states that lot area is expressed in square feet.
    • The ordinance table distinguishes residential and nonresidential lot-area requirements.

    minimum residential lot area: >= 12000 square feet

    “RS-1 12,000 24,000 80 35 9 30 25 50 35 35 (i)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — D-1 Development District, used here as the closest agricultural/rural-development district in the Cayce zoning schedule.
      “D-1 40,000 40,000 150 35 8 16 15 30 35 35 (i)”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    RS-1 residential zoning district inside Cayce.

    • The ordinance's Table 3 schedules minimum building setbacks by zoning district and distinguishes residential/nonresidential columns.
    • The fetched table row is preserved verbatim because the rendered table contains multiple adjacent numeric columns.
    “Section 6.7 Table 3, Schedule of Lot Area, Setbacks, Height, & Lot Coverage Requirements, by Zoning Districts”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    RS-1 residential zoning district inside Cayce.

    • The ordinance's Table 3 schedules maximum lot coverage by zoning district; the rendered table contains district-specific numeric columns and footnotes.
    “Section 6.7 Table 3, Schedule of Lot Area, Setbacks, Height, & Lot Coverage Requirements, by Zoning Districts”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles on residentially zoned lots inside Cayce.

    • No more than one camper or recreational vehicle may be parked or stored on a residentially zoned lot or parcel.
    • It must be stored in the rear or side yard and not within three feet of any property line, subject to the ordinance's stated loading/unloading exception.
    • A recreational vehicle may be occupied temporarily for up to seven days only upon application and approval of a Temporary Use Permit.
    • The vehicle must meet the ordinance's licensing/tag requirement when applicable.

    temporary occupancy period: <= 7 days (Only with an approved Temporary Use Permit) · property-line clearance: >= 3 feet (Loading/unloading exception applies)

    “A recreational vehicle may be occupied temporarily for a period of up to seven (7) days upon application and approval of a Temporary Use Permit issued by the Planning and Development office.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory apartments, attached or detached, where conditionally permitted by Cayce zoning tables.

    • The principal dwelling must be owner occupied.
    • The accessory apartment may not exceed 50 percent of the principal dwelling's gross floor area or contain more than two bedrooms.

    maximum accessory-apartment floor area: <= 50 percent of principal dwelling gross floor area (Or two-bedroom maximum, whichever is limiting)

    “Accessory apartments, where permitted as conditional uses, shall meet the following conditions: (1) The principal structure (dwelling) must be owner occupied. (2) 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.”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Septic systems inside Cayce when public sewer is unavailable; Cayce requires compliance with standards established by the state health/environmental agency.

    • Cayce prohibits septic installation if a connection can be made to the City sewer system.
    • If City sewer is unavailable, plans and specifications must meet state department standards.
    “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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private onsite sanitation inside Cayce.

    • Septic tanks are prohibited when connection to City sewer can be made.
    • When sewer is unavailable, septic may be used only under plans and specifications meeting state standards and applicable permit requirements.
    “It shall be unlawful to install a septic tank within the city if a connection can be made to the sewer system of the city. If a connection to the city system is not available, all plans and specifications for septic tanks shall be in accordance with and shall meet standards as established by the state department of health and environmental control.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    New or proposed homes and other premises inside Cayce where connection to the City sanitary sewer system is available.

    • Cayce makes septic installation unlawful if connection to City sewer can be made.
    • A person connecting to City sanitary sewer must obtain a connection permit, file the required application, and pay tap fees set by council resolution.
    “It shall be unlawful to install a septic tank within the city if a connection can be made to the sewer system of the city.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and creation of lots inside Cayce.

    • Lots must comply with the Cayce Zoning Ordinance or the Land Development Regulations, whichever is more restrictive.
    • The Health Department may require larger minimum lots or prohibit building on portions of a proposed subdivision to protect public health.
    • Residential blocks generally must be 600 to 1,400 feet from corner to corner, subject to topographic or physical-shape modification.

    residential block length minimum: >= 600 feet (May be modified due to topography or physical shape) · residential block length maximum: <= 1400 feet (May be modified due to topography or physical shape)

    “Any dividing of property is considered a subdivision and each new lot or parcel must be provided with access to a publicly maintained road (or an approved private road), adequate storm drainage, water, sewer and meet all of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways and access for lots and subdivisions inside Cayce.

    • Subdivision lots must have access to a publicly maintained road or an approved private road under the City's development review process.
    • Residential driveways must be at least two feet from the property line except at the point of entry and exit.
    • Private streets may be permitted by the Planning Commission if constructed to County standards and accompanied by an approved maintenance mechanism.

    driveway property-line separation: >= 2 feet (Except at point of entry and exit)

    “Driveways shall be at least 2 feet from the property line except at the point of entry and exit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Cayce.

    • Applications go to the Building Official before covered activities begin.
    • The City FAQ states permits may be issued to an owner, lessee, agent, registered design professional, or licensed contractor, subject to the stated licensing or owner-builder requirements.
    • Permits may expire or be suspended after six months without qualifying inspection activity; extensions require written approval.
    “Application for a permit shall be made to the Building Official and a permit shall be obtained prior to commencing any of the following activities:”

Rules another office applies inside Cayce

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    A home or manufactured home inside Cayce on property not served by public or community sewer.

    • SCDES approval and a permit to install are required before installation.
    • Without the septic permit, the county cannot issue a building permit.
    “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

    New septic installations inside Cayce.

    • After construction, an SCDES inspector returns to inspect the installation.
    • The installer must schedule inspection before the system is covered; qualified installers may self-inspect under SCDES procedures.
    “Once the septic system is constructed, the SCDES inspector will return to the site to inspect the septic system installation.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Cayce residential districts.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping generally inside Cayce city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Cayce city limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Cayce city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural or farm-building exemptions inside Cayce city limits.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Cayce publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lexington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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