On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lyman
A permit is required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet (but still requires application submittal and approval before construction)
Fences not over 7 feet high (but still requires application submittal and planning approval)
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons with limited height-to-width ratio
Sidewalks and driveways (but must still be approved before installation)
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and playground equipment
Window awnings within the listed projection limits
Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, not serving the required exit door (but still requires approval before construction)
Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, emergency-repair, and ordinary-repair exceptions
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet (but still requires application submittal and approval before construction)
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high (but still requires application submittal and planning approval)
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons with limited height-to-width ratio
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways (but must still be approved before installation)
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings within the listed projection limits
- Exempt Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, not serving the required exit door (but still requires approval before construction)
- Exempt Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, emergency-repair, and ordinary-repair exceptions
Note: CC&I notes that many exemptions still require application submittal and approval before construction.
Required documents
- Portal application
- Project plans
- Commercial plan review application (for commercial jobs)
- Residential disclosure form (for owner-performed work)
- Permit agent authorization form (when applicable)
- Project valuation
- Other project-specific forms listed in the portal
- Building code
- CC&I publishes South Carolina code resources. The permit-required guidance cites the International Building Code and related codes as adopted in South Carolina.
- Permit validity
- All permits expire six months after issuance or last inspection. Renewal and update fee applies per renewal.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners doing their own work must complete and upload the residential disclosure form with submittal.
- Contractor requirements
- CC&I provides South Carolina LLR contractor verification links for commercial and residential licensing. Verify state licensing status before permit issuance.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Commercial review comments are typically provided ten business days after payment is processed. Permit requests received after 4:00 p.m. are processed the following business day.
- 01 Use the CC&I Lyman building-safety page to determine the needed application and download supporting forms such as the residential disclosure form or permit agent authorization form.
- 02 Create or use the Town of Lyman iWorQ portal and open the correct application, such as building, residential building, commercial plan review, trade permit, site permit, demolition, encroachment, or occupancy.
- 03 Upload the required project information and supporting documents. If you are a property owner doing your own work, upload the residential disclosure form with the submittal.
- 04 For commercial work, submit the commercial plan review application with plans before permit issuance. CC&I states all commercial projects require plan review before permit issuance.
- 05 Pay fees. CC&I states review comments are typically provided ten business days after payment is processed for commercial projects.
- 06 After permit issuance, use the portal to upload additional documents, resubmit plans, and request inspections. Inspection requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling.
Typical processing time: Commercial review comments are typically provided ten business days after payment is processed. Permit requests received after 4:00 p.m. are processed the following business day.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2026-03
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$32.00 for residential building permits and most residential trade permits; $53.00 for commercial building permits ($1.00-$10,000.99) and many commercial trade permits
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review: $32.00. Commercial plan review: one-half of the permit fee.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential building: $4.75 per thousand, $32.00 minimum. Commercial building: $53.00 up to $10,000.99, then $53.00 plus $2.75 per thousand over $10,001. Residential mechanical, electrical, plumbing, swimming pool, fire sprinkler: $32.00 up to $2,000.99, then $32.00 plus $4.75 per thousand over $2,000. Commercial versions use stepped valuation rates. Demolition and moving: $105.00.
04
Reinspection fee
$53.00 for second and subsequent inspections
Review comments timing for commercial work runs from payment processing. Portal and CC&I resources should be used for current payment instructions.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026-03) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- iWorQ portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the next business day
Typical sequence: Project-dependent; commonly includes plan review where required, permit issuance, rough inspections, and final inspections before occupancy approval.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Lyman permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Lyman, SC? ▸
A permit is required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Lyman, SC? ▸
Building permit fees in Lyman, SC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $32.00 for residential building permits and most residential trade permits; $53.00 for commercial building permits ($1.00-$10,000.99) and many commercial trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential building: $4.75 per thousand, $32.00 minimum. Commercial building: $53.00 up to $10,000.99, then $53.00 plus $2.75 per thousand over $10,001. Residential mechanical, electrical, plumbing, swimming pool, fire sprinkler: $32.00 up to $2,000.99, then $32.00 plus $4.75 per thousand over $2,000. Commercial versions use stepped valuation rates. Demolition and moving: $105.00.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review: $32.00. Commercial plan review: one-half of the permit fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Lyman, SC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Lyman, SC, follow these steps: 1. Use the CC&I Lyman building-safety page to determine the needed application and download supporting forms such as the residential disclosure form or permit agent authorization form. 2. Create or use the Town of Lyman iWorQ portal and open the correct application, such as building, residential building, commercial plan review, trade permit, site permit, demolition, encroachment, or occupancy. 3. Upload the required project information and supporting documents. If you are a property owner doing your own work, upload the residential disclosure form with the submittal. 4. For commercial work, submit the commercial plan review application with plans before permit issuance. CC&I states all commercial projects require plan review before permit issuance. 5. Pay fees. CC&I states review comments are typically provided ten business days after payment is processed for commercial projects. 6. After permit issuance, use the portal to upload additional documents, resubmit plans, and request inspections. Inspection requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Lyman, SC? ▸
Building permit processing times in Lyman, SC typically run Commercial review comments are typically provided ten business days after payment is processed. Permit requests received after 4:00 p.m. are processed the following business day.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Lyman, SC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Lyman, SC. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet (but still requires application submittal and approval before construction); Fences not over 7 feet high (but still requires application submittal and planning approval); Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons with limited height-to-width ratio; Sidewalks and driveways (but must still be approved before installation); Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment; Window awnings within the listed projection limits; Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, not serving the required exit door (but still requires approval before construction); Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, emergency-repair, and ordinary-repair exceptions. Note: CC&I notes that many exemptions still require application submittal and approval before construction. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Lyman, SC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lyman, SC via: iWorQ portal. Inspection requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the next business day.
last verified April 2026
source Department of Building Safety, Town of Lyman, administered by Code Consulting and Inspection Services, LLC ↗
entry id permits/south-carolina/spartanburg/lyman
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Building Safety, Town of Lyman, administered by Code Consulting and Inspection Services, LLC before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.