Homesteading in South Carolina
Explore 46 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in South Carolina.
South Carolina uses a Riparian water rights system , enforces statewide IRC building codes , and has constitutional carry. The effective property tax rate is 0.55%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Riparian
Follows riparian doctrine. Surface water withdrawals of 3 million gallons per month or more require registration and reporting.
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 49-4-10 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
SC Building Codes Council adopts statewide codes based on IRC for residential. Local enforcement required.
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 6-9-10 et seq.
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless open and concealed carry for persons 18 and older effective 2024. No permit required for purchase.
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-210; S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-20
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance claims if the operation has been in existence for at least one year. Covers changes in ownership and expansion of operations.
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 46-45-10 et seq.
Counties in South Carolina
46 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | 24,368 | $118,400 | $678 | 115 | Relatively Low |
| Aiken County | 169,865 | $181,800 | $805 | 118 | Relatively Moderate |
| Allendale County | 8,073 | $61,800 | $540 | 122 | Very Low |
| Anderson County | 204,592 | $189,400 | $936 | 114 | Relatively Moderate |
| Bamberg County | 13,311 | $97,200 | $795 | 121 | Relatively Low |
| Barnwell County | 20,653 | $97,100 | $692 | 120 | Relatively Low |
| Beaufort County | 189,071 | $377,900 | $1,928 | 127 | Relatively High |
| Berkeley County | 231,419 | $253,100 | $1,282 | 121 | Relatively High |
| Calhoun County | 14,145 | $130,900 | $543 | 118 | Very Low |
| Charleston County | 409,840 | $415,000 | $1,763 | 123 | Relatively High |
| Cherokee County | 56,200 | $124,500 | $564 | 111 | Relatively Low |
| Chester County | 32,171 | $133,600 | $753 | 113 | Relatively Low |
| Chesterfield County | 43,536 | $91,400 | $463 | 113 | Relatively Low |
| Clarendon County | 31,163 | $134,000 | $817 | 118 | Relatively Low |
| Colleton County | 38,561 | $127,200 | $825 | 123 | Relatively Moderate |
| Darlington County | 63,025 | $132,600 | $564 | 115 | Relatively Low |
| Dillon County | 28,255 | $89,500 | $453 | 114 | Relatively Moderate |
| Dorchester County | 162,139 | $273,000 | $1,626 | 121 | Relatively Moderate |
| Edgefield County | 26,181 | $162,900 | $762 | 118 | Very Low |
| Fairfield County | 20,942 | $123,200 | $622 | 114 | Very Low |
| Florence County | 137,015 | $157,400 | $695 | 116 | Relatively Moderate |
| Georgetown County | 63,594 | $234,600 | $1,087 | 119 | Relatively Moderate |
| Greenville County | 528,251 | $248,900 | $1,392 | 112 | Relatively Moderate |
| Greenwood County | 69,309 | $144,000 | $945 | 116 | Relatively Low |
| Hampton County | 18,890 | $93,900 | $729 | 124 | Relatively Low |
| Horry County | 356,578 | $235,000 | $813 | 117 | Relatively High |
| Jasper County | 29,444 | $243,700 | $1,391 | 126 | Relatively Low |
| Kershaw County | 65,779 | $173,800 | $918 | 115 | Relatively Low |
| Lancaster County | 97,611 | $272,100 | $1,397 | 113 | Relatively Low |
| Laurens County | 67,456 | $138,600 | $609 | 114 | Relatively Low |
| Lee County | 16,557 | $93,400 | $560 | 116 | Very Low |
| Lexington County | 295,934 | $197,600 | $1,083 | 117 | Relatively Moderate |
| McCormick County | 9,612 | $119,500 | $886 | 117 | Very Low |
| Marion County | 29,212 | $90,200 | $435 | 116 | Relatively Low |
| Marlboro County | 26,585 | $77,900 | $487 | 114 | Relatively Low |
| Newberry County | 37,918 | $139,200 | $1,093 | 115 | Relatively Low |
| Oconee County | 78,775 | $192,800 | $804 | 113 | Relatively Moderate |
| Orangeburg County | 84,159 | $105,500 | $664 | 119 | Relatively Moderate |
| Pickens County | 131,106 | $196,600 | $784 | 112 | Relatively Low |
| Richland County | 416,161 | $201,200 | $1,489 | 116 | Relatively Moderate |
| Saluda County | 18,952 | $117,800 | $711 | 116 | Very Low |
| Spartanburg County | 330,119 | $195,800 | $1,149 | 112 | Relatively Moderate |
| Sumter County | 105,199 | $146,300 | $822 | 117 | Relatively Moderate |
| Union County | 27,158 | $95,300 | $597 | 113 | Relatively Low |
| Williamsburg County | 30,879 | $86,900 | $620 | 118 | Relatively Moderate |
| York County | 282,987 | $287,600 | $1,497 | 112 | Relatively Moderate |
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