City of West Columbia

The city states permits are required for new homes and commercial buildings, enlargements and renovations, additions, alterations, reroofs, solar panels, fences or walls, demolition, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, pools, water heaters, gas work, fire alarms and sprinklers, and tree removal.

Note: No citywide exemption list was located on the reviewed public building permit page. Confirm exempt work with the Building Department before relying on an assumed exemption.

Building code

2021 South Carolina Building Code, 2021 South Carolina Plumbing Code, 2021 South Carolina Mechanical Code, 2021 South Carolina Fuel Gas Code, 2021 South Carolina Fire Code, 2020 NEC, 2009 IECC, and 2017 ICC A117.1

Permit validity

No general permit expiration rule was clearly stated on the reviewed public page text.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder disclosure form follows SC Code Section 40-59-269 and limits unlicensed owner-builders to qualifying one-family or two-family residential work for their own use and occupancy.

Contractor requirements

The city states a contractor's license is required for certain residential or commercial classifications and lists master electrician, master plumber, and master mechanic for regulated trades. Developers and all trade subcontractors must have their own CSS accounts.

1. 01
   Register for an EnerGov Customer Self Service (CSS) account and wait for staff approval if you are a new user.
2. 02
   Submit the appropriate permit application online and upload plats, plans, zoning materials, and any supporting documents required for the project type.
3. 03
   The city routes the submission for review by Planning/Zoning, Building, Fire, and Engineering/Water-Sewer as needed.
4. 04
   Public city guidance says reviews typically take 10 to 14 business days from submission, depending on project complexity.
5. 05
   After approvals, pay all invoiced fees through the portal and obtain the issued permit before starting work.
6. 06
   Request required inspections through the portal or by email, complete all inspections, and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy at closeout when applicable.

Typical processing time: Reviews typically take 10 to 14 business days from the date of submission.

Source: City of West Columbia Building Department ↗

Fees can be paid online through EnerGov; the user guide states online card payment is available after approval and invoicing.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2020-2021 (note: may be outdated)) before budgeting.

• EnerGov Portal Inspections tab (online)
• inspections@westcolumbiasc.gov (email)

Time windows

Applicants choose an available date and either AM or PM; no same-day inspection requests are accepted.

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, required trade permits where applicable, requested inspections by phase, and Certificate of Occupancy at completion.