The state handles septic permitting in South Carolina, not the county. Here's the process, the fees, and the parts that catch people out.
In South Carolina, septic permits are issued by SCDES through their ePermitting portal. The process starts with a site and soil evaluation carrying a $150 fee set by regulation. Once issued, a permit is valid five years provided the physical character of the property hasn't changed. It is unlawful to construct or operate a system without a Department-issued permit.
This is the gating step and it decides everything downstream. The soil evaluation must be performed by one of:
The default route. Free of additional cost beyond the $150 fee, but you're on their scheduling.
Rate capped at three times the Department's permit fees.
You pay for it, but you control the timeline. On a job where schedule matters, this is usually money well spent.
System layouts may be prepared by certified SCDES staff, a contracted registered professional engineer, or a privately hired engineer who also conducted the soil evaluation. Only a registered professional engineer may design specialized systems, large community systems, non-water-carried sewage treatment, wastewater combustion and gray water reuse systems.
Since the 2022 rule changes, backhoe pits are required for all sites located above the Fall Line, rather than hand borings. The Fall Line runs northeast across Georgia through Augusta in a zone roughly twenty miles wide, which means whether your parcel needs a pit genuinely depends on the address, not just the county.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Vertical separation to zone of saturation, systems up to 1,500 gpd | 6 inches minimum |
| Depth to saturation, systems over 1,500 gpd | 36 in. below natural soil surface |
| Rock or restrictive horizon | More than 12 in. below deepest application point |
| Unsuitable soils | Massive or platy structure, substantial expansible clays |
| From | Minimum distance |
|---|---|
| Buildings and driveways | 5 feet |
| Property lines | 5 feet |
| Private well | 75 feet |
| Public well | 100 feet |
| Water bodies, at mean high water | 75 feet |
| In-ground pool | 15 feet |
| Upslope basement | 25 feet |
Repair area: new systems require a usable repair or replacement area of at least 50 percent of the original system size, and 100 percent for community systems. This is one of the most common reasons a small lot fails.
No septic tank may be installed with a net liquid capacity of less than 1,000 gallons. That covers homes up to four bedrooms. Add 250 gallons for each bedroom above four. Non-residential systems are sized from peak flow rates.
Application, plat or deed with dimensions, property owner permission letter. Fee $150.
Clear vegetation for evaluator access, stake and flag the building footprint, place site cards at the property entrance and the preferred system location.
By an SCDES evaluator, or expedited with a private licensed soil classifier.
Comes back with the system sketch and installation location.
Notifying the local SCDES office the day before final inspection.
Tier 3 installers may self-inspect their own installations. Tier 1 and Tier 2 may only do so with Department approval.
| Tier | Scope |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Gravity-fed residential only. Cannot repair existing systems. |
| Tier 2 | Adds pumps, grease traps, curtain drains, elevated infiltration, mounded, and all commercial, large and community systems. May repair. |
| Tier 3 | All of the above plus Standard 610 specialized designs. Requires three years of clean installation history, plus insurance and bond at every renewal. |
A separate pumper licence is required to clean systems and haul septage, so a full-service South Carolina septic company holds two SCDES licences. Ask any contractor which they hold and when they expire. Our credentials →
Tell us about the property and what it's doing. We'll come look, tell you straight what it needs, and give you a number you can plan around.