Off-grid site report
McCormick County, SC
33.9126, -82.2939 · 545 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McCormick County, SC, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesMcCormick County, SC
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedMcCormick County has countywide zoning under its Zoning Ordinance, administered by the county Planning & Zoning Department. Campers/RVs are specifically prohibited as a use in the Forest Agricultural and Rural Development zoning districts. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedDwelling types are governed by the zoning ordinance's land use matrix and lot/building standards per district; camper/RV residences are barred in two rural districts. No countywide rule permitting tiny homes as standard dwellings was confirmed, so ask county zoning directly.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe McCormick County Building Department requires permits and inspections for new construction, alterations, additions, and manufactured homes, enforcing the state-adopted building code. Licensed contractors are required. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems are permitted at the state level by SCDES (formerly DHEC) under statewide onsite wastewater regulation, not by a county health department. No McCormick-specific composting toilet rule was found. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo McCormick County ordinance on greywater was found; this defers to SCDES's statewide engineered-reuse-system requirements. Not confirmed whether the county adds any local restriction on top of that.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo McCormick County ordinance or SCDES regulation specifically addressing rainwater harvesting was found in the research. Confirm with the county Zoning or Building Department before installing a system.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells are permitted through SCDES's Notice-of-Intent process under the state's well permitting regulation, and must be drilled by a state-certified well driller. McCormick County's own utility ordinance covers county water/sewer systems, not private wells. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county ordinance bans off-grid living outright, but any inhabited structure still needs zoning approval, a building permit, and a Certificate of Occupancy, and camper/RV occupancy is barred in two rural zoning districts.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,413 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,764 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Abbeville Area Medical Center - 17.6 mi
- Fire station
Plum Branch Vol. Fire Department Station 50 - 4.8 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 21.1 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 0.2 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 29835).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.