City Building Permits
Easley, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Easley, South Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies inside Easley city limits. Unincorporated Pickens County is handled separately by Pickens County Building Codes.
- Department
- Building Department, City of Easley
- Address
- 205 North First Street, Easley, SC 29640
- Phone
- (864) 855-7908
Application Process
- Confirm whether a permit is required. Easley says permits are required when remodeling or additions change structural conditions or include electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, and for any structure 200 square feet or greater or any structure of any size with plumbing or electricity.
- Download the residential or commercial building permit application from the Building Department page.
- For commercial work, mail or deliver two stamped hard-copy plan sets to the City of Easley Building Department, attention Tor Ellstrom, 205 N 1st St., Easley, SC 29640.
- Coordinate plan review or code questions with the Building Official and schedule inspections through the department.
- Pay permit fees under the published schedule once staff completes review and issues the permit.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated on the current Easley pages reviewed.
General Requirements
Structural remodeling or additions, electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, and structures 200 square feet or greater; any structure of any size with plumbing or electricity.
Required Documents
- Residential or commercial building permit application
- Commercial projects require two stamped hard-copy plan sets for review
- Owner-builder disclosure if a homeowner pulls a permit for a primary residence
- Permit validity
- Not clearly posted on the current city pages reviewed.
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, and 2020 National Electrical Code.
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner may pull a permit only for a primary residence, not a rental property, and must complete and record an Owner/Builder Disclosure form with Pickens County.
- Contractor requirements
- Easley's published materials point contractors to city business license requirements and staff review; the fee schedule notes contractors should check with the Finance Department regarding a City Business License.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $40.00 for construction cost from $0 to $5,000
- Plan check fee
- Commercial construction plan review is 1/2 of permit fees; plans are submitted to a third party for review.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation based. $0-$5,000 = $40; $5,001-$100,000 = $40 plus $5 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = $515 plus $4 per $1,000; $500,001 and over = $2,115 plus $3 per $1,000.
- Reinspection fee
- First reinspection $60; second reinspection $75; third and ongoing $100 per the inspection page.
- Payment note
- Current public materials do not state online payment instructions for building permits.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Residential roofing
- Vinyl siding
- Window replacement
- Fences
Important: Contact the Building Department to confirm whether edge cases are exempt from permitting.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (864) 855-7908 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours notice required.
Typical inspection sequence: Footing; plumbing under slab; slab; rough-in; insulation and house wrap; temporary permanent power; final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, and 2020 National Electrical Code.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Codes and Permitting
- Inspection Page
- 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 Building Department, City of Easley before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Easley Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Easley, SC?
- Structural remodeling or additions, electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, and structures 200 square feet or greater; any structure of any size with plumbing or electricity.
- How much does a building permit cost in Easley, SC?
- The minimum permit fee is $40.00 for construction cost from $0 to $5,000. Fees are calculated as: Valuation based. $0-$5,000 = $40; $5,001-$100,000 = $40 plus $5 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = $515 plus $4 per $1,000; $500,001 and over = $2,115 plus $3 per $1,000.. Plan check fee: Commercial construction plan review is 1/2 of permit fees; plans are submitted to a third party for review..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Easley, SC?
- 1. Confirm whether a permit is required. Easley says permits are required when remodeling or additions change structural conditions or include electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, and for any structure 200 square feet or greater or any structure of any size with plumbing or electricity. 2. Download the residential or commercial building permit application from the Building Department page. 3. For commercial work, mail or deliver two stamped hard-copy plan sets to the City of Easley Building Department, attention Tor Ellstrom, 205 N 1st St., Easley, SC 29640. 4. Coordinate plan review or code questions with the Building Official and schedule inspections through the department. 5. Pay permit fees under the published schedule once staff completes review and issues the permit.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Easley, SC?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated on the current Easley pages reviewed..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Easley, SC?
- The following work is generally exempt: Residential roofing; Vinyl siding; Window replacement; Fences. Note: Contact the Building Department to confirm whether edge cases are exempt from permitting.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Easley, SC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (864) 855-7908. At least 24 hours notice required..
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