How much does a building permit cost in Charleston, SC?

Building permit fees in Charleston, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $40. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for most building permits; trade permits use flat or unit-based rates. For many building permits at $1,000 or less, the schedule says "application fee only".. Plan check fee: 50% of building permit fee when plans are required and valuation exceeds $1,000..

How do I apply for a building permit in Charleston, SC?

To apply for a building permit in Charleston, SC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is inside city limits using the city GIS tool. 2. Determine whether the permit type is available in CSS. If yes, submit online through CSS; if not, email the permit package to permits@charleston-sc.gov. 3. Upload or provide the applicable application and guideline documents from the Permit Center Applications and Guidelines page. 4. Pay the application fee and any later permit and plan review fees. 5. Respond to staff comments and upload corrections or revisions in CSS if required. 6. Once approved and fees are paid, receive permit issuance and post the permit placard on site. 7. Schedule inspections through CSS or by email to inspections@charleston-sc.gov. 8. After successful finals, request the Certificate of Construction Completion or Certificate of Occupancy as applicable.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Charleston, SC?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Charleston, SC via: CSS portal, inspections@charleston-sc.gov. Phone is for assistance only, not for inspection requests..

City Building Permits

Charleston, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

South Carolina Charleston County Updated 2026-04

Quick Start

Apply for a permit

Start the application through the Customer Self Service (CSS); an account may be required to submit and track the permit.

Schedule inspection

Call: 843-724-7311 (Citizen Services Desk); 843-724-7441 (inspections)

Deadline: Phone is for assistance only, not for inspection requests. Hours: Monday through Friday except city holidays

Projects that usually need a permit

Additions and expansions
Pools and pool-related work
Residential building projects
Commercial building projects
Plumbing and gas piping work

Permit Authority

Applies inside City of Charleston limits in Charleston County. Use the city GIS boundary checker first if jurisdiction is uncertain.

Department: City of Charleston Permit Center; City of Charleston Building Inspections
Address: 2 George Street, Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: 843-724-7311 (Citizen Services Desk); 843-724-7441 (inspections)
Email: permits@charleston-sc.gov , inspections@charleston-sc.gov
Website: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/856/Permit-Center

Online Permit Portal

Open Customer Self Service (CSS)

Platform: Customer Self Service (CSS) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property is inside city limits using the city GIS tool.
Determine whether the permit type is available in CSS. If yes, submit online through CSS; if not, email the permit package to permits@charleston-sc.gov.
Upload or provide the applicable application and guideline documents from the Permit Center Applications and Guidelines page.
Pay the application fee and any later permit and plan review fees.
Respond to staff comments and upload corrections or revisions in CSS if required.
Once approved and fees are paid, receive permit issuance and post the permit placard on site.
Schedule inspections through CSS or by email to inspections@charleston-sc.gov.
After successful finals, request the Certificate of Construction Completion or Certificate of Occupancy as applicable.

Typical processing time: No universal permit review SLA posted on the permit center page. Inspection requests before noon are typically scheduled one business day out; after noon, two business days out.

Source: City of Charleston Permit Center; City of Charleston Building Inspections

General Requirements

The city lists online submittal categories for commercial, multifamily, residential new/alteration/addition, pools, fences, roofing, solar, fuel gas, plumbing, demolition, signs, painting, fire alarm, mobile food vendor, and certificate of occupancy. Flood-zone work also has expanded permit triggers.

Required Documents

Varies by permit type; city directs applicants to Applications and Guidelines
Fee schedule states applicants must provide support for total construction cost, typically a ratified contract or detailed cost estimate
Plan review requires plans when valuation exceeds $1,000

Permit validity: Public-facing permit center pages reviewed do not state a city-specific expiration period.
Building code: 2021 South Carolina Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Fire Codes; 2021 International Existing Building Code; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; 2020 NEC; 2009 IECC; 2017 ICC A117.1.
Owner-builder: Fee schedule references work by property owners exempt from state and local licensing, but the public-facing permit center pages reviewed do not publish a standalone owner-builder policy.
Contractor requirements: South Carolina contractor licensing applies at the state level. City documents also reference City of Charleston business license requirements for contractors doing business in the city.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $40
Plan check fee: 50% of building permit fee when plans are required and valuation exceeds $1,000.
Permit fee formula: Valuation-based for most building permits; trade permits use flat or unit-based rates. For many building permits at $1,000 or less, the schedule says "application fee only".
Trade permit fee: Flat or unit-based rates per trade
Reinspection fee: $100
Penalty (no permit): Work started without permit is subject to double fees.
Payment note: No permit or certificate is issued until fees are paid in full unless authorized by the Chief Building Official or designee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Charleston Permit Center; City of Charleston Building Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

CSS portal (online)
inspections@charleston-sc.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline: Phone is for assistance only, not for inspection requests.
Inspection hours: Monday through Friday except city holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Permit placard and field copy plans posted; trade rough-ins under the building permit; required inspection sequence depends on project type; city publishes separate residential and commercial CCC checklists.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 South Carolina Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Fire Codes; 2021 International Existing Building Code; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; 2020 NEC; 2009 IECC; 2017 ICC A117.1.
Verify contractor license: South Carolina LLR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Building Inspections
Building in Flood Zones
City GIS
Certificate of Construction Completion
License lookup guide: South Carolina Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: South Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
South Carolina hub: South Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: 2026-04. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Charleston Permit Center; City of Charleston Building Inspections before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Charleston, SC?: The city lists online submittal categories for commercial, multifamily, residential new/alteration/addition, pools, fences, roofing, solar, fuel gas, plumbing, demolition, signs, painting, fire alarm, mobile food vendor, and certificate of occupancy. Flood-zone work also has expanded permit triggers.
How much does a building permit cost in Charleston, SC?: Building permit fees in Charleston, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $40. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for most building permits; trade permits use flat or unit-based rates. For many building permits at $1,000 or less, the schedule says "application fee only".. Plan check fee: 50% of building permit fee when plans are required and valuation exceeds $1,000..
How do I apply for a building permit in Charleston, SC?: To apply for a building permit in Charleston, SC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is inside city limits using the city GIS tool. 2. Determine whether the permit type is available in CSS. If yes, submit online through CSS; if not, email the permit package to permits@charleston-sc.gov. 3. Upload or provide the applicable application and guideline documents from the Permit Center Applications and Guidelines page. 4. Pay the application fee and any later permit and plan review fees. 5. Respond to staff comments and upload corrections or revisions in CSS if required. 6. Once approved and fees are paid, receive permit issuance and post the permit placard on site. 7. Schedule inspections through CSS or by email to inspections@charleston-sc.gov. 8. After successful finals, request the Certificate of Construction Completion or Certificate of Occupancy as applicable.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Charleston, SC?: Building permit processing times in Charleston, SC typically run No universal permit review SLA posted on the permit center page. Inspection requests before noon are typically scheduled one business day out; after noon, two business days out.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Charleston, SC?: Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Charleston, SC via: CSS portal, inspections@charleston-sc.gov. Phone is for assistance only, not for inspection requests..

Need help with your project?

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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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