Off-grid site report
Charleston County, SC
32.7857, -79.9326 · 16 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Charleston 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 rulesCharleston County, SC
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Charleston County is zoned countywide under the ZLDR (adopted 2001), administered by the county's Zoning & Planning Department; a zoning permit is required before building permits issue. Municipalities within the county run their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedMobile home siting requires a zoning permit with site plans and setbacks per Charleston County Zoning & Planning, but no confirmed county ordinance sets tiny-home size limits or blanket RV residency rules. Confirm current standards directly with the department. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBuilding Inspection Services issues permits for unincorporated Charleston County under codes set by the SC Building Codes Council, processed through the county's EnerGov portal; a 911 address and septic/sewer approval are required before inspections. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedState DES Regulation 61-56 governs septic statewide and requires site approval and a construction permit before installation; Charleston County's high water tables and sandy coastal soils often require engineered systems, reviewed by the SCDES Lowcountry Regional office. Composting toilets are not recognized as a standalone system by the state. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater reuse is governed by the state's Regulation 61-56, Appendix U, requiring an engineered subsurface system; no Charleston County-specific loosening or added restriction was found. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Charleston County ordinance or SCDES regulation addressing rainwater harvesting caps or cisterns was located; this is unaddressed at both state and county level, so confirm with Zoning & Planning and Building Inspection Services before installing a potable-use system.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells are permitted statewide under SCDES Regulation 61-71 (well standards) and 61-44 (Notice of Intent permitting); Charleston County is the state's busiest county for well approvals, but no added county restriction was found beyond state standards. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county ordinance mandates a grid electric connection, but a county sewer connection preference can require properties in mapped sewer service areas (including parts of Awendaw) to hook to municipal sewer rather than install new septic. Outside those service areas, septic and well permitting substitute for utility connection. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,464 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,736 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 6 to Dec 24
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MUSC Health Medical Center - 0.9 mi
- Fire station
Charleston Fire Department Station 3 - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
Royal Ace Hardware - 4.1 mi
- Grocery
Publix - 1.4 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 29424).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Charleston County, SC?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.