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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Horry County
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.
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
- Exempt One-story detached accessory residential structures not over 200 square feet, with zoning compliance still required
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons within listed ratio limits
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment
- Exempt Certain small detached decks under the listed IRC size, height, attachment, and egress limits
- Exempt 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.
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
- Building code
- County posts 2021 South Carolina Code Adoptions and states residential submissions must include wind design and seismic design per the 2021 IRC.
- Permit validity
- No public permit-expiration interval was clearly identified on the reviewed county pages.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: About 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review.
- 01 Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Horry County and identify the proper permit type with Code Enforcement.
- 02 Register for the county EnerGov portal if using online permit, payment, and inspection functions.
- 03 Submit the permit application and required supporting materials. For new commercial buildings or additions, the county requires digital submittal to cplans@horrycountysc.gov.
- 04 Provide all required plans, authorization letters, sewer verification, special inspection packet, COMchecks, and any stormwater or fire-service-area approvals that apply.
- 05 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.
- 06 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Horry County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
Plan revisions minimum $25. Fees double for work started before permit issuance. Moving fee $100. Demolition fee $50 under Appendix B.
County portal supports permit and plan payments. Commercial digital plan review is routed through county plan-review email.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- EnerGov portal (online)
- 843-915-5090 (phone)
Typical sequence: Permit issuance, required trade and building inspections by phase, and floodplain coordination where applicable.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Horry County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Horry County, SC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Horry County, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Horry County, SC? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Horry County, SC typically run About 20 days for new commercial review and about 5 to 7 days for residential one- and two-family review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Horry County, SC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Horry County, SC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Horry County, SC via: EnerGov portal, 843-915-5090.
last verified April 2026
source Code Enforcement, Horry County Government ↗
entry id permits/south-carolina/horry/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Code Enforcement, Horry County Government before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.