Greenville, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies inside the City of Greenville municipal limits only. Site plan permit review is required before other building or construction related permits where Section 19-2.3.9 applies.

Department

Building Codes / Codes Enforcement, City of Greenville Building and Permit Center

Address

204 Halton Road, Greenville, SC 29607

Phone

864-232-CARE (2273)

Email

buildingcodes@greenvillesc.gov

Website

https://www.greenvillesc.gov/656/Building-Permit-Center

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Review the Building Permit Applications E-Forms page and required resources, including electronic submittal guidance and any site-plan related prerequisites.
2. Determine whether the project also needs a Site Plan Permit, grading or land disturbance approval, stormwater review, retaining wall review, or trade permits.
3. Submit the correct city e-form and upload plans and supporting documents online. The city prefers to accept applications and construction plans online.
4. City staff review the application, route plans as needed, and contact the applicant if revisions or additional documents are required.
5. After approval, use the online permit service center to monitor status, make payments, and schedule inspections.
6. Permit is issued after review approval and fee payment.

Typical processing time: No public citywide issuance clock found; timing appears project-dependent.

Source: Building Codes / Codes Enforcement, City of Greenville Building and Permit Center

General Requirements

The city publishes permit categories for building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, emergencies, and repairs. Building permits cover residential and commercial work, including decks, remodeling, retaining walls, new single family homes, demolition, signs, temporary uses, and other listed work types.

Required Documents

• Application e-form
• Electronic plans and supporting documents
• Site plan materials where applicable
• Trade-specific checklists
• Special inspection forms when required
• Solar checklist for solar work
• Demolition instructions for demolition work
• Other project-specific supporting documents

Permit validity

No public validity or expiration period was located on the public permit pages reviewed.

Building code

City adopts applicable building codes; specific code edition not directly listed on public pages reviewed. Confirm against city code resources before filing.

Owner-builder

No city-specific owner-builder rule was located on the public permit pages reviewed.

Contractor requirements

Solar panel installers and special inspectors must be licensed through South Carolina LLR. Trade and specialty work is permit-controlled locally even when state licensing applies.

Fees

Permit fee formula

See Building Fee Schedule PDF linked from the city permit page; direct PDF URL not exposed in public page text

Payment note

Effective December 2, 2021, a 2.65% service fee applies to all debit and credit card transactions; the fee is assessed by a third party and not collected by the city.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Codes / Codes Enforcement, City of Greenville Building and Permit Center to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online permit service center (online)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Project-dependent; city pages indicate inspection scheduling occurs after permit issuance through the online service center.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City adopts applicable building codes; specific code edition not directly listed on public pages reviewed. Confirm against city code resources before filing.
• Verify contractor license: South Carolina LLR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Do You Need A Permit?
• City Code
• License lookup guide: South Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: South Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• South Carolina hub: South Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Greenville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Greenville, SC?

The city publishes permit categories for building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, emergencies, and repairs. Building permits cover residential and commercial work, including decks, remodeling, retaining walls, new single family homes, demolition, signs, temporary uses, and other listed work types.

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

Fees are calculated as: See Building Fee Schedule PDF linked from the city permit page; direct PDF URL not exposed in public page text.

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

1. Review the Building Permit Applications E-Forms page and required resources, including electronic submittal guidance and any site-plan related prerequisites. 2. Determine whether the project also needs a Site Plan Permit, grading or land disturbance approval, stormwater review, retaining wall review, or trade permits. 3. Submit the correct city e-form and upload plans and supporting documents online. The city prefers to accept applications and construction plans online. 4. City staff review the application, route plans as needed, and contact the applicant if revisions or additional documents are required. 5. After approval, use the online permit service center to monitor status, make payments, and schedule inspections. 6. Permit is issued after review approval and fee payment.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Greenville, SC?

Typical processing time is No public citywide issuance clock found; timing appears project-dependent..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Online permit service center.

Other cities in Greenville County