City of Forest Acres

The city Building Department issues permits and completes inspections for building work, plan review, land disturbance, tree removal, garage sales, signs, and zoning matters.

Note: No comprehensive city exemption list was posted on the Forest Acres permit pages reviewed. Do not assume small residential work is exempt; confirm directly with the Building Department.

Building code

2018 South Carolina Building Code

Permit validity

Permit is void if job is not started within six months of application date.

Owner-builder

City plan review form reproduces South Carolina owner-builder disclosure rules for one-family and two-family residences; signed disclosure must be filed with the Richland County Register of Deeds.

Contractor requirements

Only contractors licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation may obtain permits, other than homeowners operating under the homeowner exemption.

1. 01
   Download the building permit application and plan review form from the city forms page.
2. 02
   Assemble required materials, including two sets of construction documents with plat, footing and foundation information, framing details, floor plan, elevations, electrical and energy code information.
3. 03
   Email plans to jburrows@forestacres.net and lboatright@forestacres.net, or submit materials at City Hall.
4. 04
   Include a signed contract and subcontractor list if subcontractors will be used.
5. 05
   If applying as an owner-builder, sign the disclosure documents required by South Carolina law and the city plan review form.
6. 06
   Pay the permit fee and any plan review or reinspection charges.
7. 07
   After issuance, post the permit card and proceed to required inspections by the city Building Department.

Typical processing time: No general building permit review timeline was posted. The city notes that sign permit turnaround is usually 2 to 3 days.

Source: City of Forest Acres Building Department; Planning and Zoning ↗

City Hall accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover in person; checks by mail with mailed applications. Does not accept payment over the phone.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2019) before budgeting.

• City Building Department: 803-782-9475 (phone)

Typical sequence: City does not post a master inspection sequence on the main permit page; inspections follow the issued permit and any plan review requirements.