Unincorporated Richland County

The county requires permits for commercial and residential new construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement and setup of a building to another site, and removal or demolition of any building.

Note: No reliable public exemption list was identified on the reviewed Richland County permit pages. Confirm any claimed exemption directly with county permitting before starting work.

Building code

Richland County enforces the South Carolina state-mandated building codes in effect for local jurisdictions; confirm edition with the county for unusual projects.

Permit validity

No general permit expiration period was clearly posted on the county pages reviewed.

Owner-builder

The county requires a notarized Statement of Disclosure for owner-builders and states it prevents the owner from selling or renting the home for a period of two years.

Contractor requirements

The county requires licensed residential and commercial contractors to use the online contractor program; homeowner applications must list subcontractor license numbers. South Carolina LLR licensing applies.

1. 01
   Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Richland County and not inside a municipality with its own permit office.
2. 02
   If applying as a homeowner acting as owner-builder, contact the Building Permitting Office and apply at the permitting counter in person with proof of ownership, plat, drawings, subcontractor information, and required forms.
3. 03
   If applying as a licensed residential or commercial contractor, create or activate an eTrakit contractor account and submit through the online contractor program.
4. 04
   Submit the application and supporting plans for review and approval.
5. 05
   For owner-builders, complete the notarized Statement of Disclosure and record it with the Register of Deeds.
6. 06
   After all approvals are complete, pay fees at the permitting counter or through the county workflow and obtain permit issuance.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections in the required order; the county says scheduled inspections are inspected the following business day.

Typical processing time: Approval may take up to 14 days for homeowner applications.

Source: Richland County Building Permitting and Inspections ↗

The county building permits page says the Permit Specialist collects payment and issues the permit once all forms, documents, and approvals are complete.

• eTrakit Portal (online)
• Building Inspection Office: 803-576-2140 (option 2) (phone)

Time windows

Inspections scheduled are inspected the following business day; no weekend or holiday inspections outside emergency situations approved by the department.

Typical sequence: Saw pole, footing, raised slabs, pier and curtain wall, monolithic, plumbing under slab, sheathing, house wrap, framing rough, electrical rough, mechanical rough, plumbing rough, insulation, temporary electric, temporary gas, and final inspection.

Source: Richland County Building Permitting and Inspections ↗