Horry County, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Horry County Code Enforcement issues permits and inspects new construction and improvements in the unincorporated area of Horry County. Incorporated municipalities such as Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, and Aynor operate separate local permit functions.

Department

Code Enforcement, Horry County Government

Address

1301 Second Avenue, Suite 1D09, Conway, SC 29526

Phone

843-915-5090

Email

css@horrycountysc.gov , cplans@horrycountysc.gov

Website

https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/code-enforcement/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Horry County and identify the proper permit type with Code Enforcement.
2. Register for the county EnerGov portal if using online permit, payment, and inspection functions.
3. Submit the permit application and required supporting materials. For new commercial buildings or additions, the county requires digital submittal to cplans@horrycountysc.gov.
4. Provide all required plans, authorization letters, sewer verification, special inspection packet, COMchecks, and any stormwater or fire-service-area approvals that apply.
5. County guidance states to allow about 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review.
6. After approval, pay fees, obtain the permit, and schedule inspections through EnerGov or by county instruction.

Typical processing time: About 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review.

Source: Code Enforcement, Horry County Government

General Requirements

County states any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must first apply for and obtain the required permit.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Notarized owner authorization when applicable
• Full scaled plan set
• Special inspection packet for new builds and additions
• COMchecks for new commercial work
• Sewer verification
• NOI form if stormwater review is required
• Contractor license documents
• Residential site plans and sealed plans where required
• Floodplain materials for properties in the 100-year floodplain

Permit validity

No public permit-expiration interval was clearly identified on the reviewed county pages.

Building code

County posts 2021 South Carolina Code Adoptions and states residential submissions must include wind design and seismic design per the 2021 IRC.

Owner-builder

County forms page includes a Homeowner Disclosure Statement form.

Contractor requirements

County requires contractor license information and notarized authorization when someone other than the contractor obtains the permit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 minimum permit fee. Valuations of $1,000 and less show no fee unless inspections are required, in which case $15 per inspection is charged.

Plan check fee

New commercial and new residential published guidance uses $0.20 per square foot plan review. Appendix B also states plan-checking fee is one-half of the building permit fee when required by valuation threshold.

Permit fee formula

New commercial building permit generally $0.35 per square foot, or $0.50 per square foot for R-2 occupancy. New residential one- and two-family building permit $0.50 per square foot. Alterations use Appendix B valuation schedule. Mobile home permit $150 plus zoning fees.

Reinspection fee

Plan revisions minimum $25. Fees double for work started before permit issuance. Moving fee $100. Demolition fee $50 under Appendix B.

Payment note

County portal supports permit and plan payments. Commercial digital plan review is routed through county plan-review email.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory residential structures not over 200 square feet, with zoning compliance still required
• Fences not over 7 feet
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
• Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons within listed ratio limits
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and playground equipment
• Certain small detached decks under the listed IRC size, height, attachment, and egress limits
• Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Code Enforcement before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• EnerGov portal (online)
• 843-915-5090 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, required trade and building inspections by phase, and floodplain coordination where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County posts 2021 South Carolina Code Adoptions and states residential submissions must include wind design and seismic design per the 2021 IRC.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Code Enforcement Forms
• When to Get a Building Permit
• What You Need for a Building Permit
• Cost of a Building Permit
• 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

Horry County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

County states any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must first apply for and obtain the required permit.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum permit fee. Valuations of $1,000 and less show no fee unless inspections are required, in which case $15 per inspection is charged.. Fees are calculated as: New commercial building permit generally $0.35 per square foot, or $0.50 per square foot for R-2 occupancy. New residential one- and two-family building permit $0.50 per square foot. Alterations use Appendix B valuation schedule. Mobile home permit $150 plus zoning fees.. Plan check fee: New commercial and new residential published guidance uses $0.20 per square foot plan review. Appendix B also states plan-checking fee is one-half of the building permit fee when required by valuation threshold..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

1. Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Horry County and identify the proper permit type with Code Enforcement. 2. Register for the county EnerGov portal if using online permit, payment, and inspection functions. 3. Submit the permit application and required supporting materials. For new commercial buildings or additions, the county requires digital submittal to cplans@horrycountysc.gov. 4. Provide all required plans, authorization letters, sewer verification, special inspection packet, COMchecks, and any stormwater or fire-service-area approvals that apply. 5. County guidance states to allow about 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review. 6. After approval, pay fees, obtain the permit, and schedule inspections through EnerGov or by county instruction.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

Typical processing time is About 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory residential structures not over 200 square feet, with zoning compliance still required; Fences not over 7 feet; Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge; Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons within listed ratio limits; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment; Certain small detached decks under the listed IRC size, height, attachment, and egress limits; Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Code Enforcement before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Horry County, SC?

Inspections can be scheduled via: EnerGov portal, 843-915-5090.