City Building Permits

Goose Creek, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

South Carolina Berkeley County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

City permitting applies within Goose Creek city limits; unincorporated Berkeley County areas are permitted by Berkeley County.

Department
City of Goose Creek Department of Planning and Zoning and Building Inspection Division
Address
519 North Goose Creek Blvd, Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone
843-797-6220
Website
https://www.goosecreeksc.gov/residential-permitting

Online Permit Portal

Open OpenGov Permit Portal

Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Create an OpenGov permit portal account and start the applicable application.
  2. Upload the permit package, including permit application, plans, plot/site plan, and project-specific supporting documents from the residential packet or other city checklists.
  3. Include specialty items as applicable, such as HVAC Manual J, flood materials, utility letters, and owner-builder disclosure.
  4. Staff reviews the submittal; corrections are addressed through the portal.
  5. Pay fees and obtain the issued permit before starting work.
  6. Schedule required inspections and complete them through to final approval and utility release or certificate issuance.

Typical processing time: No standard review time published in current public pages reviewed; an optional express building permit is available for an additional $500 business license fee.

Source: City of Goose Creek Department of Planning and Zoning and Building Inspection Division

General Requirements

Building permits and inspections are required for covered residential construction and related trades; the city now requires all building permits and plans to be submitted electronically.

Required Documents

  • Permit application
  • Site/plot plan
  • Supporting construction documents
  • Utility and flood documents where applicable
  • Project-specific checklists
  • Deck policy documentation if applicable
  • Pool requirements documentation if applicable
  • Reroofing affidavit if applicable
  • Window replacement policy if applicable
  • Wind-borne debris affidavit if applicable
  • Subcontractor list
Permit validity
Thin public data in current Goose Creek pages reviewed.
Building code
2021 South Carolina code set, 2020 NEC with SC modifications, and related local coastal/wind requirements
Owner-builder
Owner-builder disclosure states that owners using the exemption may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence for their own use and occupancy, may not build for sale or rent, must supervise construction themselves, and may not hire unlicensed residential builders or specialty contractors.
Contractor requirements
Goose Creek requires licensed contractors and specialty contractors under state law; the packet also identifies city business license and permit coordination requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$25 non-refundable application fee and $20 permit issue fee
Plan check fee
Thin public data in the currently indexed fee materials reviewed.
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based building permit fees plus separate application and permit-issue charges; trades and planning items use flat or unit-based fees.
Reinspection fee
Reinspection and stop-work fees appear in the city master fee schedule; users should confirm current amounts in the posted 2026 schedule before filing.
Payment note
Residential impact fee is $286.15 per dwelling unit; contractors may buy an express building permit through a $500 additional business license fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Goose Creek Department of Planning and Zoning and Building Inspection Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Project phase inspections are required through completion; utility release follows completion of required inspections and permit conditions.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Goose Creek Department of Planning and Zoning and Building Inspection Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Goose Creek Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Goose Creek, SC?
Building permits and inspections are required for covered residential construction and related trades; the city now requires all building permits and plans to be submitted electronically.
How much does a building permit cost in Goose Creek, SC?
The minimum permit fee is $25 non-refundable application fee and $20 permit issue fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based building permit fees plus separate application and permit-issue charges; trades and planning items use flat or unit-based fees.. Plan check fee: Thin public data in the currently indexed fee materials reviewed..
How do I apply for a building permit in Goose Creek, SC?
1. Create an OpenGov permit portal account and start the applicable application. 2. Upload the permit package, including permit application, plans, plot/site plan, and project-specific supporting documents from the residential packet or other city checklists. 3. Include specialty items as applicable, such as HVAC Manual J, flood materials, utility letters, and owner-builder disclosure. 4. Staff reviews the submittal; corrections are addressed through the portal. 5. Pay fees and obtain the issued permit before starting work. 6. Schedule required inspections and complete them through to final approval and utility release or certificate issuance.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Goose Creek, SC?
Typical processing time is No standard review time published in current public pages reviewed; an optional express building permit is available for an additional $500 business license fee..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Goose Creek, SC?
Inspections can be scheduled via: OpenGov permitting portal.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Goose Creek can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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