County Building Permits
Lee County, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, South Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Lee County areas not within the City of Bishopville or Town of Lynchburg.
- Department
- County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- Courthouse, 3rd Floor, Room 302, Bishopville, SC 29010
- Phone
- (803) 484-5341, Ext. 3196
- giseman@leecountysc.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Evolve • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Contact the Planning and Zoning Department to initiate the permit process.
- Submit application in person at the courthouse or online via the Evolve portal.
- Prepare and submit application materials including site plan, construction drawings, and project valuation.
- If required, third-party plan review service conducts review; fees paid directly to review service.
- Upon approval, permit is issued and construction may begin.
- Schedule inspections with the third-party inspection company (except Fire Marshal inspections).
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Lee County, including new buildings, additions, alterations, and structures such as carports.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application form
- Detailed site plan or property plat
- Floor plans and construction drawings
- Estimated project cost/valuation
- Proof of property ownership (deed or deed copy)
- For plumbing work: plumbing plan drawings
- For electrical work: electrical plan drawings
- Contractor license information (if applicable)
- Building code
- South Carolina Building Code 2021 (based on International Building Code 2021 with SC amendments)
- Contractor requirements
- South Carolina Contractor's License required for general contractors performing work over $10,000.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Determined by third-party review service if required
- Permit fee formula
- Calculated based on project valuation per county fee schedule; contact department for specific rates
- Penalty (no permit)
- 100% of usual permit fee if construction commences before permit issuance
- Payment note
- Refund policy: full refund minus $25 administrative fee if no inspections performed; maximum 80% refund if plan review or inspections completed
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (803) 484-5341, Ext. 3196 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Call by 3:00 PM at least one day before the desired inspection date
- Inspection hours
- Tuesday and Thursday only
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/Excavation, Framing, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical/HVAC, Final/Completion. Fire Marshal inspections scheduled separately.
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Carolina Building Code 2021 (based on International Building Code 2021 with SC amendments)
- Verify contractor license: SC Contractor's Licensing Board
- Fire Marshal's Office
- SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
- License lookup guide: South Carolina Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: South Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- South Carolina hub: South Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, SC?
- A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Lee County, including new buildings, additions, alterations, and structures such as carports.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, SC?
- Fees are calculated as: Calculated based on project valuation per county fee schedule; contact department for specific rates. Plan check fee: Determined by third-party review service if required.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, SC?
- 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department to initiate the permit process. 2. Submit application in person at the courthouse or online via the Evolve portal. 3. Prepare and submit application materials including site plan, construction drawings, and project valuation. 4. If required, third-party plan review service conducts review; fees paid directly to review service. 5. Upon approval, permit is issued and construction may begin. 6. Schedule inspections with the third-party inspection company (except Fire Marshal inspections).
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, SC?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs and maintenance work under certain thresholds (contact department for specific limits). Note: Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for clarification on exemptions and thresholds.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, SC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (803) 484-5341, Ext. 3196. Call by 3:00 PM at least one day before the desired inspection date.
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