Bolthole Index

Richland County, South Carolina

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

The Town of Blythewood, South Carolina issues residential building permits through its own Town Hall, rather than the county building counter.12 Blythewood handles zoning inside town limits; SCDES handles septic approval for homes without public or community sewer.34 For land outside town limits, use the Richland County guide.5

At a glance

Residential building permits
Town of Blythewood; plan approval required before work1
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside town limits; confirm the current district with Town Hall32
Septic permits
SCDES approval required for homes without public or community sewer; $150 application fee46
Building permit fees
Based on construction cost, plus $25 plans review7
Owner-builder
State exemption is conditional and does not waive building codes or zoning8
Move-in approval
Certificate of Occupancy after approved inspections, zoning compliance, paid fees and licenses on file9

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Blythewood Town Hall — Design and Development

Residential building applications, inspection requests and referral for current zoning questions

803-754-0501

171 Langford Road Blythewood SC 29016

Online permits →

Septic permits

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services — Onsite Wastewater Program

Onsite wastewater applications, site evaluations, permits and installation inspections

(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 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Blythewood 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 Blythewood, SC?

Blythewood’s residential building process requires plans to be reviewed and approved before work begins, followed by a completed building-permit application.1 The application includes the property address, tax map number, heated and unheated square footage, construction cost, subcontractor list and contractor licensing information.1 Blythewood calculates the residential building-permit fee from construction cost and adds a $25 plans-review fee.7 Electrical release and a failed-inspection reinspection each carry an additional $45 fee, so the initial building-permit fee is not necessarily the final total.7

Who issues building permits in the Town of Blythewood?

Town Hall’s Design and Development contact for Blythewood’s municipal permitting portal is 803-754-0501 at 171 Langford Road, Blythewood SC 29016.2 The Town online services portal accepts residential construction applications as well as electrical, mechanical, gas, plumbing and demolition applications.2 An account lets applicants submit an application, view building-permit status, request or cancel inspections and review inspection results.2 Use Town Hall for the residential building process inside town limits, while taking an unsewered home’s septic application to SCDES.14

Does the Town of Blythewood have zoning, and can you live in an RV or tiny home?

Blythewood has municipal zoning for land inside town limits.3 Ask Town Hall to confirm the parcel’s current zoning district and applicable lot area, setbacks and allowed uses before choosing a house footprint or purchasing land.2 We could not confirm current RV occupancy, tiny-house occupancy, accessory-dwelling or minimum dwelling-size requirements; ask Town Hall about the exact proposed use, including temporary accommodation during construction.2 Obtain a specific answer about living in a vehicle rather than relying on permission to park or store it.2

How do septic permits work inside the Town of Blythewood?

A new home or manufactured home in Blythewood without public or community sewer requires SCDES approval and a septic-installation permit before construction.4 The application fee is $150, and traditional permitting includes a site visit to evaluate suitability before a Permit to Construct is issued.6 The Permit to Construct lasts five years; renewal requires a new application and fee.6 The installer must contact SCDES to schedule inspection before covering the system.10 Town building approval and state septic approval are separate steps, so obtain the septic decision early for an unsewered parcel.14

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

Start with Town Hall to confirm zoning for the proposed home, and obtain SCDES septic approval first if the site lacks public or community sewer.324 Submit construction plans for Town review before starting work, then complete the building application with property, construction-cost and contractor information.1 Schedule the required footing, saw-pole, foundation, slab, rough-in, insulation and final inspections through Town Hall.111 Blythewood issues the Certificate of Occupancy after approved inspections, satisfied zoning requirements, full fee payment and general-contractor and subcontractor business licenses on file.9

What should you check before buying land in the Town of Blythewood?

For an unsewered Blythewood parcel, make the purchase decision conditional on a workable septic approval rather than assuming a vacant lot can support a home.6 We could not confirm private-well requirements, mandatory public-water or sewer connection thresholds, driveway-access approval or town floodplain-development requirements; ask Town Hall to identify the responsible office for the parcel and SCDES about well requirements.212 South Carolina’s owner-builder exemption allows qualifying construction for the owner or family, but requires personal supervision and compliance with applicable laws, building codes and zoning.8 Ask Town Hall how to document that exemption in a Blythewood application.2

Watch-outs

  • Confirm current RV occupancy and district requirements with Blythewood Town Hall before planning to live on the lot during construction.2
  • Blythewood’s Certificate of Occupancy requires contractor and subcontractor business licenses on file as well as inspection approval and paid fees.9
  • South Carolina presumes an owner-built home sold or rented within two years of completion was built for sale or rent unless otherwise approved by the commission.8

Sources

  1. Town of Blythewood Residential Building Permit Guidelines (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Blythewood Town Hall — Design and Development (evolve-public.infovisionsoftware.com)
  3. Blythewood Code, Chapter 155 Zoning, General Regulations (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  4. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  5. Building Permits (2026 county census)
  6. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Blythewood Residential Building Permit Guidelines (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  8. South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 59 — Residential Home Builders (South Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Town of Blythewood Residential Building Permit Guidelines (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  10. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Septic Tanks - Residential, Single Home Builder (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Blythewood Residential Building Permit Guidelines (Town of Blythewood), quoted and re-checked
  12. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services — Onsite Wastewater Program (des.sc.gov)

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 Blythewood

Town of Blythewood’s own rules

  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential building permits inside Blythewood town limits.

    • Required inspection sequence: footing, saw pole, foundation, slab, rough-in, insulation, and final.
    • Electrical release is outside the standard inspection process and costs an additional $45.
    • Failed routine inspections require an additional inspection; reinspection costs $45.

    inspection scheduling response: <= 2 business days (Inspections called during regular business hours) · electrical release inspection fee: 45 USD · reinspection fee: 45 USD (Must be paid before certificate of occupancy)

    “Applying for a Building Permit triggers the following required inspection process:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential building projects inside Blythewood town limits.

    • All inspections must be approved.
    • Zoning requirements and fees must be paid in full.
    • All general-contractor and subcontractor business licenses must be on file.
    • Reinspection fees must be paid before issuance.
    “Upon completion of construction with the approval of all inspections, zoning requirements and fees paid in full, the Town Clerk will issue the Certificate of Occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Blythewood town limits; Chapter 155 establishes and applies zoning-district regulations.

    • No grading, building, or zoning permit may be issued until the zoning classification is established.
    “Within each district, the regulations set forth by this chapter shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land. [...] No grading, building or zoning permit shall be issued until the zoning classification has been established.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-12 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Maximum dwelling density is three dwelling units per net acre.

    minimum lot area: >= 12000 sq ft · minimum land area per dwelling unit: >= 12000 sq ft

    “Minimum lot area 12,000 sq. ft. Minimum land area per dwelling unit 12,000 sq. ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    RU Rural District.

    • Major-street lots require 75 feet; other road rights-of-way require 50 feet.
    • Animal shelters, barns, and pens require 50 feet from the property line.
    • Preexisting animal shelters, barns, and pens on adjacent property require 100 feet, not applicable to agricultural uses.

    front yard from major-street right-of-way: >= 75 ft · front yard from other road rights-of-way: >= 50 ft · side yard: >= 25 ft · principal rear yard: >= 25 ft · accessory rear yard: >= 6 ft

    “Minimum front yard depth For lots fronting on major streets shown on the transportation plan: 75 ft. 50 ft. from all other road rights-of-way Minimum side yard 25 ft. from interior side lot line”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-12 Single-Family Residential District.
      “Minimum front yard depth 30 ft. [...] Minimum side yard Principal structure: 15 ft. from interior side lot line [...] Minimum rear yard Principal structure: 25 ft. from interior rear lot line”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-12 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Other permitted and permissible buildings and accessory structures may not exceed 35 percent lot coverage.

    residential units and accessory structures: <= 25 percent · other permitted and permissible buildings and accessory structures: <= 35 percent

    “Residential units and their accessory structures shall not exceed a total of 25% lot coverage; other permitted and permissible buildings and their accessory structures shall not exceed a maximum of 35% lot coverage”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-12 Single-Family Residential District.

    • The maximum does not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, utility and communication towers, chimneys, flag poles, or antennae.

    maximum structure height: <= 50 ft to roof line (Listed religious, utility, communications, chimney, flag-pole, and antenna structures)

    “Maximum structure height 50 ft. to the roof line (not applicable to church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, utility and communication towers, chimneys, flag poles and antennae)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RU Rural District.
      “Maximum structure height 50 ft. to roof line (not applicable to church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, utility and communication towers, chimneys, flag poles, antennae, water tanks and towers and agricultural uses)”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Travel and camping vehicles on lots in Blythewood residential zones.

    • No more than one travel or camping vehicle per family may be parked on a residential lot.
    • The vehicle may not be occupied temporarily or permanently while parked or stored, except in an authorized manufactured-home park.
    • Mobile recreation equipment or vehicles may not be parked or stored on a residential lot for more than 24 hours except in a carport, enclosed building, or rear yard.
    • BZA may grant a variance for unnecessary hardship.

    travel/camping vehicles per family: <= 1 vehicle (Authorized manufactured-home park exception) · parking/storage duration: <= 24 hours (Carport, enclosed building, or rear-yard exception)

    “No more than one travel or camping vehicle per family living on the premises shall be permitted to be parked on a lot in any residential zone; and the vehicle shall not be occupied temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored, except in an authorized manufactured home park.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary or permanent occupancy of travel or camping vehicles parked or stored on residential lots.

    • Exception for an authorized manufactured-home park.
    • Parking/storage exceptions include a carport, enclosed building, or rear yard.
    “the vehicle shall not be occupied temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored, except in an authorized manufactured home park.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside the incorporated area of Blythewood.

    • Subdivision approval requires sketch-plan, preliminary-plat, and final-plat review and approval.
    • Final plat approval is required before title transfer, recording, or issuance of a building permit, except for specified model-home procedures.
    • DHEC/SCDES permits and approvals may also be required.
    “These land development regulations shall apply to all development of land within the incorporated area of the Town of Blythewood.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Residential building permits inside Blythewood town limits.

    • Permit fee is calculated under the Town fee schedule based on construction cost.
    • Plans review fee is additional.
    • Electrical release and reinspection fees are additional.

    plans review fee: 25 USD (In addition to permit fee) · electrical release fee: 45 USD (Not included in standard inspection process) · reinspection fee: 45 USD (Must be paid before certificate of occupancy)

    “The permit fee will be calculated according to the Town of Blythewood fee schedule and is based on the cost of construction.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building-permit process inside Blythewood town limits.

    • Submit two plan sets.
    • Obtain plan review approval before work.
    • Submit permit with address, tax map, square footage, construction cost, subcontractor list, contractor license, and subcontractor licenses.
    • Inspections must be scheduled through Town Hall.
    “The general contractor should submit two (2) sets of the construction plans. [...] Once the plans are approved a building permit is completed and submitted.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Blythewood

Town of Blythewood 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

    SCDES administers septic approval and permitting for property inside Blythewood that is not served by public or community sewer.

    • SCDES approval and a septic-installation permit are required before construction on an unsewered site.
    • The Town code also states that developers must obtain required DHEC permits and approvals.
    “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 permitRequired

    New homes or manufactured homes inside Blythewood on property not served by public or community sewer.

    • SCDES approval and permit must be obtained first.
    • Without the septic permit, the county cannot issue a building permit.
    • Application fee is $150.
    • Traditional permitting includes a site visit and Permit to Construct.
    • Permit to Construct lasts five years; renewal requires a new application and fee.

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

    “South Carolina law requires site approvals and permits for all septic systems.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New septic-system installations inside Blythewood.

    • Installer must contact SCDES before the system is covered to schedule inspection.
    • If an SCDES inspector does not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, a licensed installer may self-inspect and submit the approved documentation.

    inspector arrival allowance before optional self-inspection: 30 minutes (Licensed installer may proceed with documented self-inspection)

    “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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Sanitation for homes inside Blythewood on property not served by public or community sewer.

    • Off-grid sanitation is limited to an SCDES-approved and permitted septic system.
    • Site approval and inspection requirements apply.
    “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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Blythewood town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Blythewood zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-house occupancy inside Blythewood town limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Blythewood town limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Blythewood town limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Blythewood publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Richland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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