Off-grid site report

Horry County, SC

33.6770, -78.9015 · -10 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Horry 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 rulesHorry County, SC

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyHorry County has countywide zoning administered by its Planning and Zoning Department under the Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Regulations; what's allowed depends entirely on the parcel's zoning district, which the county says must be checked by tax map number. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county's Zoning Ordinance names tiny homes specifically, permitting them on foundations in at least one mixed residential district and defining them as under 750 sq ft; RVs as permanent dwellings on raw land outside parks are not confirmed as permitted and need direct confirmation for your district.

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedHorry County's Code Enforcement/Building Codes Department enforces the state building code and requires plan review and permits for residential construction before building. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedNo Horry-County-specific septic ordinance was found; septic approval follows the state SCDES framework, and the county requires proof of septic/sewer approval before issuing a building permit. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this falls back to the state SCDES engineered-system requirements, and any local building code interaction should be confirmed with Horry County Code Enforcement.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Horry County ordinance specifically addressing rain barrels or cisterns was found, though a county Stormwater Ordinance applies during development review; not confirmed, so check with Planning and Zoning before installing. source

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedNo Horry-County-specific well ordinance was found; well permitting follows the state SCDES regulatory framework, and the county's building permit checklist ties well approval to construction permitting.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyFull utility disconnection isn't banned outright, but Horry County still requires building permits, inspections, and septic/well approval before an inhabited structure can be legally occupied. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 4.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,488 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 51 in/yr
Heating degree days: 2,617 (mild)
Frost-free season: Mar 21 to Nov 13

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital South Strand Medical Center: 4.1 mi
Fire station Myrtle Beach Fire Department Station 1: 1.9 mi
Hardware store The Home Depot: 2.1 mi
Grocery Food Lion: 0.1 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 29577).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.