FAQ

Buying a Lake Carolina Home

What are the price ranges of the Homesites?

Lakefront, second row vista and woodland homesites within different neighborhoods are available for retail sale. For an on-line list of available homesites, click here.

When can I buy a Home?

A number of builder showcase homes are available now. Please contact the sales office at 803.736.LAKE (5253) for a detailed listing.

Can I use my own builder if I buy a Lake Homesite?

Yes. Our Architectural Review Committee must approve your homebuilding plans and your builder must be bonded to ensure that the construction will be completed. You are encouraged, however, to select from Lake Carolina's Preferred Columbia Builders. All builders have been selected for their proven financial stability and a history of successful home construction.

What are the typical sizes of the Lake Homesites?

Typically 1/2 acre to one acre in size.

The Lake

How do I get to Lake Carolina?

Lake Carolina is ideally located in Columbia Northeast. Located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Columbia and the University of South Carolina, Lake Carolina is centrally located between three interstate highways (I-20, I-26 and I-77) and only a little over an hour drive to interstates I-85 and I-95. Lake Carolina is close to quality schools and part of Richland District II, an award-winning South Carolina school district. .

View map and driving directions

How large is Lake Carolina?

Lake Carolina's exquisite property contains 1,850 acres of total land.

What is the size of the Lake?

Lake Carolina covers approximately 200 acres, is 1.8 miles long, 43 feet deep at the dam and has over six miles of shoreline.

Can I swim in Lake Carolina?

You must be a member of the Lake Association to swim in the lake. If you live on the Lake, you may swim up to 50 feet from shore. You may also swim in areas that the Lake Association may designate for swimming.

Can I fish in Lake Carolina?

Yes, there is some excellent fishing on the Lake. Fully stocked with fish in late 1999 with nearly 200,000 fish, the stock has grown to large proportions. Anglers have already caught a bass in excess of 10 pounds. Specific guidelines for fishing have been established as defined in the Lake Regulations Handbook which is given to each homeowner. All Lake Carolina residents may fish from designated areas. Lake Association members may fish from their docks or their boats.

Can I water-ski on Lake Carolina?

Yes. As a member of the Lake Association, you and your guests may ski, swim, sail and fish on the Lake within the restrictions defined in the Lake Regulations Handbook which is given to each homeowner.

Are there any restrictions regarding boating on Lake Carolina?

The Lake Regulations Handbook, given to all homeowners, covers all aspects of use of the lake.

The following is a brief summary of some of the restrictions:

Water vehicles shall:

If using motors or engines that are fifteen (15) horsepower or greater, be operated by persons at least sixteen (16) years of age, unless the person is (A) accompanied by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age, or (b) provides evidence of having successfully completed a boating course approved by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Be operated at No Wake Speed from sunset to 10:00 a.m.
Have and use running lights as required by law
Use engines or motors whose exhaust is muffled under water.

In addition:

No pontoon boats larger than 24 feet in length or any other type of boat larger than 20 feet 11 inches.
No jet skis, wave runners, Sea Doos, or jet boats of any kind.
No houseboats.
No sea planes, gliders or ultralight aircraft.
No boats may operate shoreward of markers designating restricted areas.
No boats may be tied to any general community dock for periods longer than 2.5 hours.
No boats may operate on Lake Carolina within 50 feet of any swimmer, swimming area, shore installation, platform, bathing beach, or cove at a speed greater than five miles per hour.
No boat may exceed 40 miles per hour.
No boat may be moored or anchored within 50 feet of any shore installation without the permission of the owner.
There may be additional restrictions for residents who are not members of the Lake Association.

Can I operate my boat at night?

All boats must operate at No Wake Speed from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. every day. All boats running at night must have lighting standards as approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

Where can I store my boat?

If you live on the Lake or own a lake lot, you may build a dock and keep your boat in the water. For residents who live off the lake, boats cannot be stored on individual lots or in driveways. However, future plans include a RV/boat storage area that may be located near the dam. There are several commercial boat storage areas within a few miles of Lake Carolina.

Can my friends use the Lake?

Yes, your guests may enjoy the Lake when accompanied by a member of the Association. Your boat must have both a current S.C. registration and a properly displayed Lake Carolina sticker. No other boats will be permitted. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I build a dock?

Dock permits are available. Docks will have to be built in accordance with the developer's specifications. Plans will have to be submitted and approved prior to construction.

Associations

What sort of Associations are there at Lake Carolina?

There are four homeowner associations at Lake Carolina:

Lake Carolina Master Association
Lake Carolina Neighborhood Association
Lake Carolina Amenity Association
Lake Carolina Lake Association

Is participation mandatory?

Participation in the Master Association and a Neighborhood Association is mandatory for all residents. While the Lake Association requires mandatory participation for lakefront owners, participation for other residents is optional. Participation in the Amenity Association is optional for all residents.

Harborside

When will businesses move into Harborside?

Harborside Town Center was established in 2001 and has grown over the years to include a number of buildings housing retail, office, professional and service businesses. The Town Center is composed of commercial buildings, live-work townhomes and public spaces such as parks and greens. Today, the Town Center is comprised of nearly 100,000 square feet of commercial and residential under roof and nearly 40 different Town Center merchants. Business uses are as diverse as restaurants, wine shop, pharmacy, pet care and grooming, office machinery supplier and copy store, spa and salon, insurance agency, attorneys, professional office uses and church offices.

To inquire about services and retail opportunities in Harborside's Town Center, please contact Tim O'Farrell at 803.736.LAKE (5253).

Can I open a business in Harborside?

Yes, absolutely! In fact, the design of Harborside, tucked along the shores of Lake Carolina, brings in-town living, specialty shopping, lakeside entertainment, dining, parks, playgrounds, strolling and biking to your front door. Local area residents will also be able to enjoy the convenience of Lake Carolina's town center. The types of service-oriented businesses and shops that Harborside may offer include antique shops, bakery, coffee and ice cream shop, postal services, corner store and restaurants. The design of live-work townhomes where one can live and work in the same building, enjoy a 30-second commute and incubate a business through great financing such as a conventional mortgage is a unique aspect of Harborside's plan.

If you are interested in opening a business at Harborside, please contact us at 803.736.LAKE (5253) for more information.

What sort of shops/business will there be in Town Center?

Harborside plans include many types of service-oriented businesses and shops: a small grocer, antique shops, bakery, coffee and ice cream shop, daycare, postal services, corner store and restaurants. All the amenities you may expect of a neighborhood town center and you would enjoy walking to. If you are interested in opening a business at Harborside, please call Tom O'Farrell at 803.736.LAKE (5253) for more information.

How may I find out more about Harborside?

Visit our Information Center, call 803.736.LAKE (5253), or contact us via e-mail to have your questions answered or to be added to our mailing list: infocenter@lakecarolina.com

The Schools

What school district and schools serve the Lake Carolina area?

Lake Carolina is served by one of the finest school districts in the state, Richland School District Two. Students are served by Lake Carolina Elementary School and Kelly Mill Middle School on-site, as well as nearby Blythewood Middle and Ridgeview High Schools. Read more information about Lake Carolina schools.

The Lake Carolina Early Learning Center has been developed in Lake Carolina's Town Center. For more information on this great new facility, click here.

See more information about Lake Carolina's on-site public schools.