Bolthole Index

Lexington County, South Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Springdale, SC

The Town of Springdale, South Carolina requires a building permit for building, additions, repairs or renovations costing more than $1,000, with exceptions for government buildings and churches used exclusively for religious purposes.1 In Lexington County, Springdale administers its own zoning approvals, while SCDES handles septic permits.23 Springdale prohibits septic work when a public sewer connection can reasonably and practicably be made.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for covered building work over $1,000; town administrator issues them1
Zoning approval
Town zoning permit required before construction or building alterations2
Septic permits
SCDES; town prohibits septic work where public sewer can reasonably and practicably be connected34
Manufactured homes
Must connect to utilities, including sewer, except gas and telephone; district permission still needs confirmation5
Owner-builder
State exemption is conditional; construction must comply with building codes and zoning6
Private wells
Notice of Intent required before residential or irrigation well construction7

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Springdale Administration / Town Administrator

Town building/work permit applications; ask about fees, inspections and occupancy approval.

803.794.0408

2909 Platt Springs Road Springdale, SC 29170

Zoning

Town of Springdale Town/Zoning Administrator

Town zoning permits, district questions, zoning appeals and development review.

803.794.0408

2909 Platt Springs Rd. Springdale, South Carolina 29170

Septic permits

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, Columbia Local Office

State septic permitting contact serving Lexington County, including Springdale.

(803) 896-0620

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

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

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

Springdale requires a town-administrator-issued building permit before covered building work costing more than $1,000 begins; the ordinance covers new buildings, additions, repairs and renovations, with exceptions for government buildings and church buildings used exclusively for religious purposes.1 Electrical installation, repair or alteration requires a separate electrical permit before work begins.8 Do not treat the building-work cost threshold as an electrical-work exemption.8 Springdale Administration provides a Building/Work Permit Application; ask that office for the project-specific fee, inspection schedule and any occupancy approval before planning a move-in date.9

Does the Town of Springdale have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Springdale has its own zoning ordinance, and subdivision lots must comply with the town zoning requirements.10 Before construction or alteration of a building, obtain a zoning permit from Town Hall approved by the Town/Zoning Administrator.2 We could not confirm the applicable minimum lot size, dwelling size, setbacks or lot coverage; ask the Town/Zoning Administrator for the parcel’s district and dimensional requirements.2 Springdale’s Design Review Board also issues Certificates of Appropriateness for new development and exterior alterations in the Design Overlay District.2 For land outside town limits, use the Lexington County guide for the county’s building and zoning answers.1112

How do septic permits and private wells work inside Springdale?

SCDES issues septic approvals for Springdale, but the town prohibits installing, repairing, altering, replacing or pumping a septic system when a public sewer connection can reasonably and practicably be made.34 Resolve sewer availability before budgeting for septic.4 For a new home or manufactured home without public or community sewer, obtain SCDES approval and a septic installation permit before construction; the application fee is $150 and the permit is valid for 5 years.13 The installer must arrange inspection before covering the system.14 Residential and irrigation wells require a Notice of Intent before construction; SCDES lists respective fees of $70 and $50.7

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Springdale?

We could not confirm permission for living in an RV, occupying a tiny home or adding an accessory dwelling in Springdale; ask the Town/Zoning Administrator about the specific parcel and proposed dwelling before buying.2 Springdale’s prohibition on camping in unsafe structures or on private property without the owner’s permission does not establish approval for RV living on an owner’s land.15 Manufactured homes must connect to all utilities, including sewer, except gas and telephone; district-wide permission for placement is still unconfirmed.5 In the specified special flood-hazard areas with base-flood-elevation data, new residential construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, must have the lowest floor at least 1 foot above base flood elevation, with no basements.16

Building a home in the Town of Springdale: what are the steps?

Start with the Town/Zoning Administrator: request the zoning permit and confirm the proposed use, parcel dimensions and any Design Overlay District review.2 Resolve public sewer availability next; Springdale’s sewer-availability restriction limits septic work, and SCDES approval is required before building a home that needs septic.413 Obtain the town building permit for covered work over $1,000 and electrical approval before electrical installation, repair or alteration.8 For a subdivision, preliminary-plat approval from the Planning Commission precedes subdivision permits.8 South Carolina’s owner-builder exemption requires personal supervision, qualifying owner or family occupancy, appropriate licensed help and a recorded public notice; building-code and zoning compliance still apply.6 Ask Springdale Administration to confirm inspections and occupancy paperwork before scheduling completion.9

Watch-outs

  • Springdale’s sewer-availability prohibition covers septic repairs and pumping as well as new installations; ask Town Hall to resolve the sewer-connection question before commissioning septic work.4
  • We could not confirm RV or tiny-home occupancy, district lot-size standards or setbacks; ask the Town/Zoning Administrator about the parcel before purchase.2
  • A qualifying farm-structure code exemption does not remove municipal authority to require building permits, and the owner must file the required affidavit before construction.17

Sources

  1. Sec. 5-21. - Building permit—Required (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Springdale Town/Zoning Administrator (springdalesc.com)
  3. Septic Tanks - Who to Call (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 20-4. - Septic tanks prohibited where service available (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 16-86. - Definitions (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  6. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Private Drinking Water Wells (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  8. Sec. 5-21. - Building permit—Required (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  9. Town of Springdale Administration / Town Administrator (springdalesc.com)
  10. Appendix B, Sec. 9-3. - Permits (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Permits FAQs (2026 county census)
  12. Zoning Ordinance Information (2026 county census)
  13. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sec. 14-12. - Loitering; vagrancy; prohibiting habitation of areas deemed unsafe (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sec. 9-43. - Specific standards (Town of Springdale), quoted and re-checked
  17. South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 6-9-65 (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 Springdale

Town of Springdale’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building, addition, repair, or renovation inside Springdale town limits involving more than $1,000.

    • Church buildings used exclusively for religious purposes and government buildings are excepted.
    • The permit must be issued by the town administrator.

    expenditure threshold: > 1000 USD (Church buildings used exclusively for religious purposes and government buildings are excepted.)

    “No building or addition, repair or renovation to any existing building, with the exception of church buildings used exclusively for religious purposes and with the exception of government buildings, within the limits of the town involving the expenditure of more than $1,000.00 shall be commenced unless a building permit has been issued by the town administrator.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Springdale town zoning inside town limits.

    • The code refers to the Town of Springdale zoning ordinance, zoning permits, zoning-district classifications, and named districts.
    • The complete zoning map and dimensional schedule were not located in the supplied sections.
    “All lots, which shall hereafter be established in connection with the development of a subdivision, shall comply with the requirements set forth in the zoning ordinance of the Town of Springdale, South Carolina.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts referenced by Springdale ordinances inside town limits.

    • The code names C-1, C-2, P-1, and residential districts for food-truck regulation.
    • Subdivision regulations require zoning-district classifications and compliance with the town zoning ordinance.
    • The complete district map and dimensional schedule were not located.
    “Food truck units and food trails shall be allowed only in the following zoned districts: C-1, C-2, P-1 and in residential districts only when the food truck unit does not impede traffic.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping or remaining stationary inside an unsafe structure or on private property without the owner's permission.

    • The provision is part of the loitering/vagrancy section and is not a complete land-use camping ordinance.
    • A police officer may order a person to leave a public place; refusal is a violation.
    “To remain, camp or stay stationary in a building/structure deemed unsafe for occupancy by a town building official; [...] To remain, camp or stay stationary on private property without permission from the property owner.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured homes inside Springdale town limits.

    • Mobile homes must connect to all utilities including sewer, except gas and telephone.
    • In specified flood-hazard locations, manufactured homes must meet elevation, permanent-foundation, anchoring, and evacuation-plan requirements.
    • The supplied sections do not establish district-wide permission for every manufactured home.

    flood elevation: >= 1 foot above BFE (Applicable in the specified special-flood-hazard areas.)

    “Mobile homes shall be required to connect to all utilities, including sewer, except gas and telephone.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Septic sewage disposal inside Springdale town limits when public sewer can reasonably and practicably be used.

    • The prohibition covers installing, repairing, altering, replacing, or pumping out a septic tank or septic system.
    • Violators are subject to prosecution.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to install, repair, alter, replace or pump out within the town any septic tank or septic tank system for the disposal of sewage, if a sewer connection can reasonably and practicably be made to a public sanitary sewer system, such as that of the town or the City of Cayce or any other public system which the town may be a part of.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in specified special flood-hazard areas inside Springdale town limits where base-flood-elevation data has been provided.

    • The rule applies in Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A1-30, V, and VE where base-flood-elevation data has been provided.
    • Residential structures, including manufactured homes, must be elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation; no basements are permitted.
    • Non-residential structures have the same one-foot elevation requirement, subject to stated A-zone floodproofing conditions.
    • Additional engineering certification, anchoring, flood-opening, and evacuation-plan requirements apply as specified.

    minimum residential elevation: >= 1 foot above BFE (No basements permitted.)

    “In all areas of special flood hazard (Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A1-30, V, and VE) where base flood elevation data has been provided, as set forth in section 9-28 or outlined in the duties and responsibilities of the local floodplain administrator section 9-40 , the following provisions are required: (1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. No basements are permitted.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building, electrical, and subdivision permit process inside Springdale town limits.

    • Building work over $1,000 requires a town-administrator-issued permit, subject to the church and government-building exceptions.
    • Electrical work requires a permit before installation, repair, or alteration.
    • Subdivision permits require prior planning-commission preliminary-plat approval.

    building-work threshold: > 1000 USD (Church buildings used exclusively for religious purposes and government buildings.)

    “Before any electrical wiring, device or equipment is installed, repaired or altered in any building or structure within the town, the person making the installation, repair or alteration shall obtain a permit therefor from the town administrator.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Springdale

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

  • Who permits septicState

    Septic permitting and inspections inside Springdale town limits, which are in Lexington County.

    • SCDES lists Lexington among the counties served by its Columbia onsite-wastewater regional office.
    • The town separately prohibits septic work when a sewer connection can reasonably and practicably be made.
    “South Carolina law requires site approvals and permits for all septic systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    A new home or manufactured home inside Springdale town limits on property not served by public or community sewer.

    • SCDES approval and a permit to install a septic system are required before construction.
    • The county cannot issue a building permit without the septic permit.
    • The town prohibits septic installation, repair, alteration, replacement, or pumping when a public sewer connection can reasonably and practicably be made.

    application fee: 150 USD · permit validity: 5 years (Renewal or modification requires a new application and fee.)

    “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. Without this permit, your county will not be able to issue you a building permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New septic-system installation inside Springdale town limits.

    • Before the system is covered, the installer must contact SCDES to schedule inspection.
    • If an SCDES inspector does not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, a licensed installer may self-inspect.
    • The installer must submit the approved D-4432 Final Inspection form.

    inspection scheduling grace period: 30 minutes (Licensed installer may proceed with self-inspection if inspector does not arrive within 30 minutes.)

    “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. If a SCDES inspector does not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, a licensed installer has the option to proceed with a self-inspection of the installation.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Individual residential and irrigation wells inside Springdale town limits.

    • Before construction, the well owner, agent, or driller must submit a Notice of Intent under the General Permit.
    • SCDES lists a $70 fee for each individual residential well and $50 for each irrigation well.
    • SCDES has 48 hours to review a completed NOI; the driller must notify SCDES 48 hours before installation.
    • Local SCDES inspectors may schedule inspections.

    individual residential well fee: 70 USD · irrigation well fee: 50 USD · NOI review period: 48 hours

    “Prior to construction of any individual residential well or irrigation well, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to obtain coverage under the General Permit is submitted by the well owner, agent of the well owner, or well driller.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Springdale town limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspection inside Springdale town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Springdale town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Springdale town limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Springdale town limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Springdale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lexington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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