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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Dorchester County
The county states Building Services is responsible for issuance of residential and commercial building permits for new construction and renovations in unincorporated Dorchester County.
Note: No county-published general exempt-work list was found on the reviewed Building Services pages. Confirm project-specific exemptions directly with Building Services before proceeding.
- County building application or Evolve submission
- Plans and project materials required by the county submittal process
- Additional floodplain, GIS, RV/manufactured-home, or land-disturbance materials where applicable
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code; 2021 International Fire Code; 2021 International Plumbing Code; 2021 International Mechanical Code; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code; 2020 NEC; 2021 International Residential Code; 2009 IECC; 2021 International Existing Building Code
- Permit validity
- No clear permit-expiration rule was found on the reviewed county building-services pages.
- Owner-builder
- No clear owner-builder rule was found on the reviewed county building-services pages.
- Contractor requirements
- State-level contractor and trade licensing remains governed by South Carolina LLR; local permit approval and inspections remain county-controlled.
Application process
Typical processing: No general permit-review turnaround was clearly published on the reviewed county building-services pages.
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated Dorchester County rather than inside a municipality.
- 02 Use the county Apply Online page to submit in Evolve, or use the county building application as directed.
- 03 Follow the county submittal process and upload the required plans and project materials.
- 04 Complete any floodplain or land-disturbance review steps required for the site.
- 05 County staff review the submittal for code compliance and issue comments if revisions are needed.
- 06 After approval, obtain the permit and keep permit documentation on site.
- 07 Schedule inspections through the county; next-day inspections require contacting the office no later than 3:00 pm the business day before the requested date.
Typical processing time: No general permit-review turnaround was clearly published on the reviewed county building-services pages.
Fee schedule
Dorchester County building permit fees
County uses Evolve for online submittals; separate stormwater and land-disturbance pages publish their own review and inspection fee tables where applicable.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- InspectionRequests@DorchesterCountySC.gov (email)
- 843-832-0011 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Next-day requests must be made by 3:00 pm the prior business day
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays
Typical sequence: County page states inspections occur throughout the construction process to verify code compliance; exact sequences depend on permit type.
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Dorchester County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Dorchester County, SC? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Dorchester County, SC? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dorchester County, SC? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Dorchester County, SC? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dorchester County, SC? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Dorchester County Building Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.