Guide · schedules checked Nov 7, 2026
South Carolina impact fees by county
As of Nov 9, 2026, Groundwork has the published fee schedule for 3 jurisdictions in South Carolina, each from the jurisdiction's own document. South Carolina counties and cities may charge development impact fees under the South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act (S.C. Code 6-1-910 and following). Water and sewer utilities charge their own impact or capacity fees when a new home connects.
Fees on one new single-family home
Status on Nov 9, 2026. A per-square-foot tax is shown with its total for a 2,000 sq ft home.
| Who charges it | One new home | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Water System service areaWater and sewer impact fees | $11,290 | Since Jan 1, 2026 | Source |
| Greenville Water service area (water only)Water capacity fee | $1,390–$2,780 by unit size | Since Jan 1, 2026 | Source |
| Horry CountyImpact fee | $995–$3,104 by home size | Adopted Jul 14, 2026 | Source |
A county or city not named on this page is not tracked yet, which does not mean it charges nothing.
What each figure covers
- Charleston Water System service area: 3/4-inch water tap: water impact fee $4,620 + sewer impact fee $6,670 per equivalent residential unit (from January 1, 2026; the schedule rises to $5,115 + $8,160 on January 1, 2027); the water tap fee ($500) and sewer tap fee ($200) are extra.
- Greenville Water service area (water only): Water capacity fee for a residential unit on a 5/8-inch meter, by unit size: $1,390 (1-bedroom under 1,000 sq ft) to $2,780 (2-bedroom over 1,200 sq ft, or any unit not in categories A-D); the meter ($350), tap ($900) and contribution ($1,000) fees are extra, and sewer is billed by the sewer provider, not Greenville Water.
- Horry County: Unincorporated county, one new home by living area (parks and recreation, police, fire/medic, EOC, solid waste): 1,000 sq ft or less $995; 1,501-2,000 $2,050; 2,001-2,500 $2,392; 3,501 or more $3,104. Commercial: Retail $1,776 and office $797 per 1,000 sq ft.
The law
South Carolina counties and cities may charge development impact fees under the South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act (S.C. Code 6-1-910 and following). Water and sewer utilities charge their own impact or capacity fees when a new home connects. S.C. Code Title 6 Chapter 1.
Every figure is the jurisdiction's own published schedule, linked in its row; confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on it. Florida: Florida impact fees by county.
Questions
Does South Carolina charge impact fees on a new home?
South Carolina counties and cities may charge development impact fees under the South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act (S.C. Code 6-1-910 and following). Water and sewer utilities charge their own impact or capacity fees when a new home connects. Whether a home pays, and how much, depends on the county, city or utility; the table lists each schedule Groundwork has checked.
Do I pay these fees when I buy vacant land?
No. They are due while a new home is built: at the building permit in most places, before the certificate of occupancy in some, and a utility fee when the home connects to water and sewer. They belong in the cost of building, not the land price.
Does a county missing from the table charge nothing?
Not necessarily. A county or city that is not listed has not been checked yet; ask its building or planning department.