City Building Permits

North Myrtle Beach, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

South Carolina Horry County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies within incorporated City of North Myrtle Beach only. Unincorporated Horry County parcels are handled by Horry County.

Department
Planning and Development Department, Building Division, City of North Myrtle Beach
Address
1018 Second Avenue S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone
843-280-5560
Website
https://www.nmb.us/177/Planning-Development

Online Permit Portal

Open OpenGov Permitting and Licensing

Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm project jurisdiction and permit type through the Planning and Development Department.
  2. Submit the application and supporting plans through the city's OpenGov online permit application portal.
  3. For valuation-based permits, the Building Division determines valuation using ICC Building Valuation Data and city fee methodology.
  4. Pay the applicable permit and plan review fees after city review.
  5. Obtain the issued permit through the portal or office before starting work.
  6. Continue through required inspections coordinated through the Building Division and any required Fire Department reviews for applicable projects.

Typical processing time: No citywide public review clock was identified on the current pages reviewed.

Source: Planning and Development Department, Building Division, City of North Myrtle Beach

General Requirements

The Building Division states its responsibilities include plan review, issuance of building permits, and construction inspection. City fee ordinance and portal categories cover building, grading, pools, docks and piers, dune walkovers, seawalls, fences, utilities, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits.

Required Documents

  • Application and plans through OpenGov
  • Valuation support where needed
  • Survey and floodplain materials where applicable
  • New survey requirements for building permits effective September 1, 2025
Permit validity
No public North Myrtle Beach permit expiration rule was clearly identified in the reviewed current pages.
Building code
City ordinance adopts the latest editions as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. The Building Division uses current South Carolina code adoptions and city ordinance fee provisions.
Owner-builder
No separate current owner-builder handout was identified on the reviewed city pages.
Contractor requirements
City tradesman application requires a copy of the applicable South Carolina state license. Regulated trade qualifiers applying for city trade certification pay a $125 application fee and certification is valid for five years.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$15.00 at 0 to $500 valuation under the city fee ordinance.
Plan check fee
One-half of the building or grading permit fee when plans are required. One- and two-family permit applications instead have a $25 submittal plan-check fee credited toward the permit fee.
Permit fee formula
Valuation based. City uses ICC Building Valuation Data and a permit fee schedule for building permits, with separate trade permit fees for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits when not included in a general permit.
Reinspection fee
$100 per reinspection for wrong address, faulty work, corrections not made, or work not ready.
Penalty (no permit)
Permit fees double for work started before permit issuance.
Payment note
Online portal supports submittal and permit handling. The city also lists in-office permitting hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Planning and Development Department, Building Division, City of North Myrtle Beach to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
In-office permitting hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, trade and building inspections by phase, and Fire Department inspections for applicable systems and commercial work.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Planning and Development Department, Building Division, City of North Myrtle Beach before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Myrtle Beach Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
The Building Division states its responsibilities include plan review, issuance of building permits, and construction inspection. City fee ordinance and portal categories cover building, grading, pools, docks and piers, dune walkovers, seawalls, fences, utilities, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits.
How much does a building permit cost in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
The minimum permit fee is $15.00 at 0 to $500 valuation under the city fee ordinance.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation based. City uses ICC Building Valuation Data and a permit fee schedule for building permits, with separate trade permit fees for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits when not included in a general permit.. Plan check fee: One-half of the building or grading permit fee when plans are required. One- and two-family permit applications instead have a $25 submittal plan-check fee credited toward the permit fee..
How do I apply for a building permit in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
1. Confirm project jurisdiction and permit type through the Planning and Development Department. 2. Submit the application and supporting plans through the city's OpenGov online permit application portal. 3. For valuation-based permits, the Building Division determines valuation using ICC Building Valuation Data and city fee methodology. 4. Pay the applicable permit and plan review fees after city review. 5. Obtain the issued permit through the portal or office before starting work. 6. Continue through required inspections coordinated through the Building Division and any required Fire Department reviews for applicable projects.
How long does it take to get a building permit in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
Typical processing time is No citywide public review clock was identified on the current pages reviewed..
How do I schedule a building inspection in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
Inspections can be scheduled via: OpenGov portal, 843-280-5560.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in North Myrtle Beach can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.

Other cities in Horry County

Myrtle Beach Conway Surfside Beach Aynor
View all Horry County jurisdictions →