County Building Permits
Cherokee County, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cherokee County, South Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
South Carolina Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Cherokee County, excluding City of Gaffney and Town of Blacksburg.
- Department
- Cherokee County Building Safety Department
- Address
- 110 Railroad Ave., Gaffney, SC 29340
- Phone
- 864-487-2561
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Manual submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Download the building permit application from the Cherokee County Building Safety website or pick up in person at 110 Railroad Ave., Gaffney, SC 29340.
- Complete all sections of the application accurately, including project valuation.
- Prepare submission materials: completed permit application, site plans with dimensions and setback lines, proof of property ownership (deed or abstract), and environmental documentation if applicable for land disturbance.
- For residential new construction, valuation must be applicant-provided value or $150.00 per SF, whichever is greater.
- Submit completed application and all required fees to Cherokee County Building Safety Department (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for permits).
- County performs plan review for code compliance; notification of approval, conditional approval, or denial provided to applicant.
- For manufactured home setup, review completes within 5 business days of completed submittal.
- Upon approval, permit is issued with permit number and laminated Permit Card.
- Post Permit Card visibly at work site from a public right of way; keep full permit documents on-site.
- Construction may begin after permit issuance; permit valid for 2 years from issuance date.
Typical processing time: 5 business days for manufactured home setup; other permits subject to review timeline (contact department for estimate).
General Requirements
Permits required for: new construction (residential, commercial, industrial), repairs/alterations/structural repairs, improvements/renovations, demolition/relocation of structures, land disturbance on 1+ acres (NPDES requirement), mechanical/electrical/plumbing work, pools/spas, and accessory structures.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site plans with actual dimensions, lot shape, setback lines, and location of structures
- For residential new construction: valuation determined by applicant or $150.00/SF (whichever is greater)
- Proof of property ownership (deed or abstract)
- Environmental documentation if applicable for land disturbance
- Permit validity
- Permit valid for 2 years from issuance date.
- Building code
- 2021 South Carolina Building Code, Residential Code, Fire Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code (effective January 1, 2023); 2020 National Electrical Code with SC modifications; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and Existing Building Code.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may perform certain exempt improvements: one-story detached accessory structures ≤200 SF, retaining walls ≤4 feet in height, water tanks ≤5,000 gallons capacity, and window awnings projecting ≤54 inches.
- Contractor requirements
- Residential work over $5,000 requires licensed residential builder; commercial work over $10,000 requires licensed general contractor. Licensed contractor requirements enforced by SC Residential Builders Commission and SC Contractor's Licensing Board.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- 50% of building permit fee based on total project valuation
- Permit fee formula
- Based on project valuation; plan review fee is one-half of the building permit/land disturbance permit fee.
- Payment note
- Include all required fees with application submission.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 SF
- Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height
- Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons capacity
- Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches
Important: Additions, alterations, and structural repairs typically require permits regardless of cost or owner-builder status. Verify with Building Safety Department for specific exemptions.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 864-487-2561 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests called in before 9:00 a.m. receive priority (same-day inspections).
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection types per 2021 SC Building Code: foundation/footing, framing, electrical work, plumbing, mechanical system, final/completion, pool and spa inspections, and additional inspections as required by code.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 South Carolina Building Code, Residential Code, Fire Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code (effective January 1, 2023); 2020 National Electrical Code with SC modifications; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and Existing Building Code.
- Verify contractor license: SC Contractor's Licensing Board
- SC Building Codes Council - Code Adoption & Amendments
- SC DHEC Stormwater (NPDES) Permits
- SC DHEC Onsite Wastewater/Septic Permits
- 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: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Cherokee County Building Safety Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cherokee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- Permits required for: new construction (residential, commercial, industrial), repairs/alterations/structural repairs, improvements/renovations, demolition/relocation of structures, land disturbance on 1+ acres (NPDES requirement), mechanical/electrical/plumbing work, pools/spas, and accessory structures.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation; plan review fee is one-half of the building permit/land disturbance permit fee.. Plan check fee: 50% of building permit fee based on total project valuation.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- 1. Download the building permit application from the Cherokee County Building Safety website or pick up in person at 110 Railroad Ave., Gaffney, SC 29340. 2. Complete all sections of the application accurately, including project valuation. 3. Prepare submission materials: completed permit application, site plans with dimensions and setback lines, proof of property ownership (deed or abstract), and environmental documentation if applicable for land disturbance. 4. For residential new construction, valuation must be applicant-provided value or $150.00 per SF, whichever is greater. 5. Submit completed application and all required fees to Cherokee County Building Safety Department (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for permits). 6. County performs plan review for code compliance; notification of approval, conditional approval, or denial provided to applicant. 7. For manufactured home setup, review completes within 5 business days of completed submittal. 8. Upon approval, permit is issued with permit number and laminated Permit Card. 9. Post Permit Card visibly at work site from a public right of way; keep full permit documents on-site. 10. Construction may begin after permit issuance; permit valid for 2 years from issuance date.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- Typical processing time is 5 business days for manufactured home setup; other permits subject to review timeline (contact department for estimate)..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 SF; Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height; Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons capacity; Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches. Note: Additions, alterations, and structural repairs typically require permits regardless of cost or owner-builder status. Verify with Building Safety Department for specific exemptions.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cherokee County, SC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 864-487-2561. Requests called in before 9:00 a.m. receive priority (same-day inspections)..
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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.