Can you live off-grid in Florence County, South Carolina?
87
of 100
Good with caveats
Yes. We found no major drawback on the land. Rain is plentiful, about 50 inches a year. The growing season runs about 231 frost-free days.
What the land says
Rain
Rain can supply much of a household's water with a large tank. The sandy soil dries fast, so plan to water the garden.
About 50 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Deep wells. Get a driller's quote before you offer.
The typical well here is about 390 feet deep; a well typically runs $14,000 to $31,000
Growing season
A full season for most vegetables.
About 231 frost-free days, USDA zone 8b; last frost about March 23, first about November 10
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.3 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones are rare here. Still, look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
FEMA maps no flood zones nearby
Wildfire
Wildfire risk is high in places. Check the risk for the parcel you want.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Low to High here
Storms
Hurricanes and strong tornadoes are rare here.
NOAA: one hurricane-strength storm within 50 miles since 1975; about 1 strong (EF2 or stronger) tornado a decade within 25 miles
Terrain
Flat, but the ground stays wet. Build on the higher, drier spot.
Slopes average about 1%, about 80 feet above sea level
Soil
Sandy and fast-draining. Septic may need an extra treatment step, and garden beds need compost to hold water. The county's soil test decides.
Sand, moderately well drained (USDA soil survey). A standard system typically runs $5,000 to $10,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 1.4 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check a South Carolina parcel, or plan the one you own
Get a free 0-100 off-grid score.
A step-by-step build plan, sizing your solar, water, garden, septic, heat, and buildings.
Is it legal here?
Zoning
Florence County zones land outside its towns and publishes its zoning map. Our free lookup shows the district for any address.
Building code
South Carolina requires every county and city to enforce the statewide building codes (the International Residential Code with state changes for houses), so a new house needs a permit and inspections. A county may be exempt for up to five years at a time by declaring it cannot afford the service.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed.
Water rights
Owners of land along a creek or lake can make reasonable use of its water.
Drilled to about 390 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$5,000 to $10,000
Standard system
Solar and batteries
$18,000 to $34,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$3,000 to $7,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $4,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$41,000 to $85,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Well cost
Get a driller's quote.
Wells here run near 390 feet, so the well is a large cost.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
Sandy ground drains fast, and some counties require an extra treatment step.
Wildfire
Ask an insurance agent whether they will write a policy.
The U.S. Forest Service rates wildfire risk high in places.
Nearby counties
137,214 people live in Florence County, about 171.4 per square mile. It ranks 37th of the 46 South Carolina counties we scored, and South Carolina ranks 10th of 50 states.