Building Permits
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Permit Requirements for Projects in the City
*indicates that the forms are required for all projects; the other forms listed may be required on a project-specific basis
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Annie Peifer
Permit TechnicianPhone: 843-525-7049
New Construction / Major Renovations & Additions
Examples of Work
All projects over $50,000 (typically these projects require 5 or more subcontractors) such as:
- Accessory dwelling units
- Major renovations
- New residential or commercial buildings
- Significant upfits
Applicable Forms
- Project Permit Application Packet for jobs >$50,000 (contains application, checklist, large subcontractors list, license permission sheet, and statement of understanding by prime contractor)
- Residential / Commercial Building Checklist
- Silt Fence and Tree Protection Requirements; see the Building Codes page
New Construction of Smaller Structures & Smaller Interior / Exterior Renovations or Additions
Examples of Work
All projects less than $50,000 and which have fewer than 5 subcontractors. These projects still require Building Code review and may include:
- Commercial sheds (>120 square feet)
- Electrical
- Interior / exterior renovations that include structural
- Mechanical
- New awnings
- New walls
- Plumbing
- Reroof
- Residential sheds (>200 square feet)
- Window / door replacement or opening modification (must comply with current hurricane zoning requirements; submit photos of existing windows and specifications on new windows)
Applicable Forms
*Project Permit Application Packet for jobs <$50,000 and <5 subcontractors (contains application form and small subcontractors list)
Minor Projects
Examples of Work
Projects that typically do not require any Building Code review or inspections, including:
- Awning recover
- Banner
- Commercial sheds (<120 square feet)
- Exterior painting
- Fences
- Moving a structure
- Partial or full demolition
- Residential sheds (<200 square feet)
- Rot repair
- Site work that increases impervious surface or changes grading
- Temporary Use Permit
- Circus
- Farmers market
- Food truck
- Special event
- Weekend flea market
Applicable Forms
Interior Cosmetic Projects & Residential Landscaping
Examples of Work
- Interior Finish work
- Interior painting
- New cabinetry (no plumbing involved)
- Residential flooring
- Wall paper
- Residential landscaping that does not increase impervious surface or add driveway curb cuts
Applicable Forms
None; no permit is required for this type of work. However, it is the owner or contractor's responsibility to verify with the Building Codes department that the project is exempt from needing a permit.
Signs
Examples of Work
All permanent signage and updates to Master Sign Plans including:
- Wall signs
- Freestanding signs
- Directional signs
*note that temporary signs such as banners and non-profit event signs use the Minor Project Permit
Applicable Forms
Additional / Individual City Project-Related Forms
- Address Request Form
- Use if you need to know the physical address of a property and email to Martie Kay McTeer
- City Encroachment Permit
- Use for driveways or encroachments into city-owned streets. Use SCDOT street finder to help determine the street ownership.
- Closeout Checklist for Commercial Projects
- Disclosure Statement
- Home Occupation
- Large Subcontractors List
- License Permission Sheet
- Minor Project Permit
- Owner Builder Agreement (for residential projects where the owner is acting as his/her own contractor)
- Project Permit Application <$50,000 and <5 subcontractors
- Project Permit Application >$50,000
- Residential / Commercial Building Checklist
- Small Subcontractor List (for <5 subs)
- Tree Removal Application
- Zoning Permit (Safety Application)
- Special Inspector Application Form
Other Relevant City Departments
Business License
Find the following forms and more on the Business License page:
- Accommodations Tax Forms
- Business License Applications
- Hospitality Tax forms
- Personal Property Tax Forms
- Temporary Pay Per Job License forms
Planning
Find application forms for subdivisions, lot line adjustments, and other Planning-related functions, along with forms for the following boards and meetings on the Planning Department page:
- Design Review Board
- Historic Review Board
- Park and Tree Advisory Committee
- Pre-Application Meeting
- Zoning Board of Appeals
Other Relevant City Departments
Business License
Find the following forms and more on the Business License page:
- Accommodations Tax Forms
- Business License Applications
- Hospitality Tax forms
- Personal Property Tax Forms
- Temporary Pay Per Job License forms
Planning
Find application forms for subdivisions, lot line adjustments, and other Planning-related functions, along with forms for the following boards and meetings on the Planning Department page:
- Design Review Board
- Historic Review Board
- Park and Tree Advisory Committee
- Pre-Application Meeting
- Zoning Board of Appeals