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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pickens County
County guide says any structure 200 square feet or larger, or any structure of any size requiring plumbing or electricity, and agricultural pole barns all require permits.
One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not over 200 square feet and no electrical, plumbing, or HVAC
Fences not over 6 feet 6 inches high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not over 5,000 gallons and ratio of height to diameter or width not over 2 to 1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Minor electrical repair work including replacement of lamps or connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles
Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying gas appliances
Replacement of gas appliance parts that do not alter approval or make equipment unsafe
Portable heating, ventilation, cooling appliances for mechanical/plumbing
Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and motors of 1 horsepower or less
Stopping leaks or clearing stoppages in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe if not concealed
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not over 200 square feet and no electrical, plumbing, or HVAC
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet 6 inches high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not over 5,000 gallons and ratio of height to diameter or width not over 2 to 1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Minor electrical repair work including replacement of lamps or connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles
- Exempt Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying gas appliances
- Exempt Replacement of gas appliance parts that do not alter approval or make equipment unsafe
- Exempt Portable heating, ventilation, cooling appliances for mechanical/plumbing
- Exempt Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and motors of 1 horsepower or less
- Exempt Stopping leaks or clearing stoppages in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe if not concealed
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Pickens County Building Codes before proceeding without a permit.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Septic permit where applicable
- Recorded plat
- Purchase document if property was just purchased
- Owner-builder disclosure if owner-building
- Trade permit applications as applicable
- Building code
- County says it enforces the adopted International Building Codes and Pickens County ordinances and links to the South Carolina mandatory codes notice effective January 1, 2023.
- Permit validity
- County residential guide says construction must commence within 6 months from permit issuance; permit becomes null and void after 6 months of non-activity and fees are forfeited.
- Owner-builder
- County guide says owner-builders are allowed if they complete and record an owner/builder affidavit and agree to occupy the home for a minimum of two years without renting or selling it. County also posts a separate Owner Builder Disclosure form.
- Contractor requirements
- County links directly to South Carolina residential contractor licensing lookup and states trade permits and inspections are handled by Building Codes. County fee and permit materials assume licensed builders and trade contractors where applicable.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: County residential guide says septic approval time is variable and applicants should allow at least 4 to 5 weeks for the DHEC portion. County inspection service goal says inspections are provided within 24 hours of request.
- 01 For residences using onsite wastewater, obtain South Carolina DHEC septic approval first.
- 02 While septic review is pending, apply for a new 911 address for the project.
- 03 Complete the building permit application with Pickens County Building Codes and provide required supporting information.
- 04 Pay permit and other applicable fees. County guidance says the permit may be issued once all fees are paid.
- 05 Start construction within 6 months and request required inspections through the portal or by phone.
- 06 Obtain final approval and a certificate of occupancy before occupying the residence.
Typical processing time: County residential guide says septic approval time is variable and applicants should allow at least 4 to 5 weeks for the DHEC portion. County inspection service goal says inspections are provided within 24 hours of request.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective FY25
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$75.00 for project value from $1 to $8,000
02
Plan check fee
When plan submittal is required and valuation exceeds $1,000, plan review fee equals one-half of the building permit fee and is paid at plan submittal.
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation based. $1-$8,000 = $75; $8,001-$50,000 = $10 per thousand over minimum; $50,001-$100,000 = $300 for first $50,000 plus $4 per additional $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = $500 for first $100,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000; over $500,000 = $2,000 for first $500,000 plus $2 per additional $1,000.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee is $50. County fee schedule doubles permit fees where work starts before obtaining the permit.
05
Penalty (no permit)
County doubles permit fees for work started before obtaining the permit.
County website states permits taken after 4:30 p.m. will be made ready for payment and issuance through the online permit portal as soon as possible.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective FY25) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- EnerGov Citizen Self Service (online)
- (864) 898-5950 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests must be called in before 4:00 p.m. to be scheduled.
- Time windows
- County states its intent is to provide inspections within 24 hours of request.
Typical sequence: Footing and slab; framing; foundation drainage if basement; permanent power; final inspection. The county residential checklist also identifies footing, plumbing under slab, rough-in, insulation, and final requirements.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Pickens County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
County guide says any structure 200 square feet or larger, or any structure of any size requiring plumbing or electricity, and agricultural pole barns all require permits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Pickens County, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $75.00 for project value from $1 to $8,000. Fees are calculated as: Valuation based. $1-$8,000 = $75; $8,001-$50,000 = $10 per thousand over minimum; $50,001-$100,000 = $300 for first $50,000 plus $4 per additional $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = $500 for first $100,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000; over $500,000 = $2,000 for first $500,000 plus $2 per additional $1,000.. Plan check fee: When plan submittal is required and valuation exceeds $1,000, plan review fee equals one-half of the building permit fee and is paid at plan submittal..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, SC, follow these steps: 1. For residences using onsite wastewater, obtain South Carolina DHEC septic approval first. 2. While septic review is pending, apply for a new 911 address for the project. 3. Complete the building permit application with Pickens County Building Codes and provide required supporting information. 4. Pay permit and other applicable fees. County guidance says the permit may be issued once all fees are paid. 5. Start construction within 6 months and request required inspections through the portal or by phone. 6. Obtain final approval and a certificate of occupancy before occupying the residence.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Pickens County, SC typically run County residential guide says septic approval time is variable and applicants should allow at least 4 to 5 weeks for the DHEC portion. County inspection service goal says inspections are provided within 24 hours of request.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Pickens County, SC. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not over 200 square feet and no electrical, plumbing, or HVAC; Fences not over 6 feet 6 inches high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high; Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not over 5,000 gallons and ratio of height to diameter or width not over 2 to 1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Minor electrical repair work including replacement of lamps or connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles; Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying gas appliances; Replacement of gas appliance parts that do not alter approval or make equipment unsafe; Portable heating, ventilation, cooling appliances for mechanical/plumbing; Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and motors of 1 horsepower or less; Stopping leaks or clearing stoppages in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe if not concealed. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Pickens County Building Codes before proceeding without a permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pickens County, SC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pickens County, SC via: EnerGov Citizen Self Service, (864) 898-5950. Inspection requests must be called in before 4:00 p.m. to be scheduled..
last verified April 2026
source Pickens County Building Codes Administration ↗
entry id permits/south-carolina/pickens/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pickens County Building Codes Administration before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.