St. Matthews, SC — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town)

Street address

102 Courthouse Drive, Suite 112, St. Matthews, SC 29135

Phone

(803) 874-4201

planning@calhouncounty.sc.gov

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated Town of St. Matthews.

Online portal

Calhoun County Building and Planning Department

CommunityCore E-Permitting Platform

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Matthews

A building permit is required for all construction in the Town of St. Matthews.

Scope of work

Permit?

Owner-builder exemption for primary residence (must file notarized Owner Builder Affidavit with Register of Deeds)

Exempt

Roofing on primary residence by homeowner (permit still required; maximum two asphalt shingle layers allowed)

Exempt

Minor repairs not involving structural changes, MEP systems, or egress (contact county for specific determination)

Exempt

Exempt Owner-builder exemption for primary residence (must file notarized Owner Builder Affidavit with Register of Deeds)
Exempt Roofing on primary residence by homeowner (permit still required; maximum two asphalt shingle layers allowed)
Exempt Minor repairs not involving structural changes, MEP systems, or egress (contact county for specific determination)

Note: Exemptions do NOT apply to electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work; licensed contractors required for these trades. Town-specific design review or architectural review may apply to certain properties.

Required documents

Completed Building Permit Application form
Property Owner Consent Form (if contractor/builder is not owner)
Owner Builder Affidavit (if applicable; must be notarized)
Contractor's LLR license (copy)
Contractor and subcontractor list with LLR documentation
Plans meeting residential or commercial submittal requirements
Proof of wastewater disposal system verification (septic permit approval or public sewer availability)
Restrictive covenants affidavit (if applicable)
Roofing Affidavit (for roofing projects)

Building code: 2021 South Carolina Building Code (IBC 2021 with SC amendments); Chapter 10, Calhoun County Code of Ordinances; Calhoun County Zoning and Development Code (CALHOUN-2026); applicable town municipal ordinances and town zoning overlay
Permit validity: Permit must be posted on-site; no work shall commence until permit is issued.
Owner-builder: Owner-builder exemption available for primary residence (SC Code § 40-11-410); Owner Builder Affidavit must be notarized and recorded with county Register of Deeds before permit issuance.
Contractor requirements: Licensed contractors required per SC law (Title 40, Chapter 11). General contractor license required for work exceeding $10,000 in regulated classifications. Electrical, mechanical (HVAC), and plumbing must be licensed or performed under homeowner exemption.

Source: Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 10-15 days for initial plan review; may extend if revisions needed. Total pre-construction timeline typically 3-4 weeks.

01

Contact the Building and Planning Department for pre-permit consultation (optional but recommended; Tuesday/Thursday office hours available).
02

Prepare the application package including building permit application form, property owner consent form, owner builder affidavit (if applicable), contractor LLR license, contractor and subcontractor list, plans meeting residential or commercial submittal requirements, proof of wastewater disposal system verification, restrictive covenants affidavit (if applicable), and roofing affidavit (for roofing projects).
03

Submit application online via CommunityCore portal or in-person at 102 Courthouse Drive, Suite 112.
04

County conducts plan review for code compliance (typical review timeline: 10-15 days).
05

Submit revised plans if county requests modifications or clarifications.
06

Permit is issued with job identification number once approved.
07

Post permit on-site at project location before commencing work.

Typical processing time: 10-15 days for initial plan review; may extend if revisions needed. Total pre-construction timeline typically 3-4 weeks.

Source: Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

St. Matthews building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Calculated using ICC 2024 Building Valuation Data based on estimated construction cost and project scope (typical range: 1-2% of construction cost)

Contact Calhoun County Building and Planning Department at (803) 874-4201 for current fee schedule and specific rates. Town may charge separate fees for town-specific review.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(803) 874-4201 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Minimum 24 hours advance notice required; 48 hours in advance recommended.
Inspection hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Typical sequence: Standard sequence for residential: Foundation/Footing Inspection, Foundation/Backfill Inspection, Framing/Rough-In Inspection, Energy Code Compliance Inspection, Final Building Inspection. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections conducted by separate licensed trade inspectors.

Source: Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about St. Matthews permits

01 Do I need a building permit in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

A building permit is required for all construction in the Town of St. Matthews.

02 How much does a building permit cost in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

Building permit fees in St. Matthews, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Calculated using ICC 2024 Building Valuation Data based on estimated construction cost and project scope (typical range: 1-2% of construction cost).

03 How do I apply for a building permit in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

To apply for a building permit in St. Matthews, SC, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Building and Planning Department for pre-permit consultation (optional but recommended; Tuesday/Thursday office hours available). 2. Prepare the application package including building permit application form, property owner consent form, owner builder affidavit (if applicable), contractor LLR license, contractor and subcontractor list, plans meeting residential or commercial submittal requirements, proof of wastewater disposal system verification, restrictive covenants affidavit (if applicable), and roofing affidavit (for roofing projects). 3. Submit application online via CommunityCore portal or in-person at 102 Courthouse Drive, Suite 112. 4. County conducts plan review for code compliance (typical review timeline: 10-15 days). 5. Submit revised plans if county requests modifications or clarifications. 6. Permit is issued with job identification number once approved. 7. Post permit on-site at project location before commencing work.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

Building permit processing times in St. Matthews, SC typically run 10-15 days for initial plan review; may extend if revisions needed. Total pre-construction timeline typically 3-4 weeks.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in St. Matthews, SC. The following work is generally exempt: Owner-builder exemption for primary residence (must file notarized Owner Builder Affidavit with Register of Deeds); Roofing on primary residence by homeowner (permit still required; maximum two asphalt shingle layers allowed); Minor repairs not involving structural changes, MEP systems, or egress (contact county for specific determination). Note: Exemptions do NOT apply to electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work; licensed contractors required for these trades. Town-specific design review or architectural review may apply to certain properties. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Matthews, SC? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in St. Matthews, SC via: (803) 874-4201. Minimum 24 hours advance notice required; 48 hours in advance recommended..

last verified April 2026 source Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town) ↗ entry id permits/south-carolina/calhoun/st-matthews

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Calhoun County Building and Planning Department (jointly administers with town) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of St. Matthews

Other jurisdictions in Calhoun County.